I was only ten years old when I sat in the living room with my family as we watched Barack Obama become the 44^th President of The United States of America. I didn’t understand much about politics or the 2008 election at that age, but I do remember the tension in the room that night. I didn’t understand why people had such extreme opposing views, or why they reacted so differently to our president-elect.

It’s been eight years since Obama first became president. As I’ve grown into a young adult over the course of his terms, I’ve realized that no matter who the President is, there will always be people who oppose him, his ideals, and his actions. On the other hand, there will always be people who look forward to the new change in presidency.

Thousands of Americans pick apart President Obama’s time in office and try to expose him as something less than he really is. Barack Obama is leaving an admirable legacy behind, and it’s important to remember the positive changes that our country has experienced these last few years.

For one, President Obama received an enormous support from a variety of racial and ethnic minorities when he was elected into office. As the first African-American president, our nation seemed to open its arms and let the racial history of our country finally turn a corner. His victory is proof that hard work pays off no matter what color your skin is. As a young adult, it has been important for me to see this type of leadership within my lifetime.

Additionally, there is a huge controversy in the U.S. regarding the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. The intentions of this were to give the American people more access to affordable healthcare. This law requires all Americans to have health insurance, which is very inconvenient and/or unaffordable for people across the U.S. I’ll admit, as a millennial it’s difficult to provide health insurance for myself, but I respect the consideration of the law itself. The ACA may not be something that we all can agree on, but it was a decision President Obama made to help the people in his country; it’s no reason to look down on him.

On another note, same-sex marriage was legalized in the U.S. during Obama’s time in office. "No matter who you are, here in America, you're free to marry the person you love because the freedom to marry is now the law in all 50 states,” said President Obama as he addressed his personal top-ten accomplishments – the legalization of same-sex marriage made number-two on his list. To witness and live through a change like this has been enlightening; to know that there are leaders in this world who care about the people in their country on a personal level introduces a whole new meaning of leadership to me.

We can’t forget about Michelle, either. Michelle Obama graciously stepped into the position of the First Lady and made the title her own. Her inspirational speeches and work with women, children, and the military are outstanding pieces of evidence that prove the FLOTUS is one of the best we’ve ever had. She’ll truly be missed.

These are only a few of the hundreds of things Obama did and didn’t do during his presidency. My objective was not to convince you that Obama is the best, or any better than alternative presidents, but to simply touch on highlights that allow his legacy to live on past his terms in office. Barack Obama made history for our country – we’d be fools not to recognize it.