Every time I see the Obamas I’m reminded of what a wonderful family they were. I miss them so much but am comforted by the fact that Barack’s legacy is impeccable, that his wife and children are beloved, and that the orange one will be a pariah for the rest of his days wherever he goes. Michelle is one of the cover women for People’s Women of The Year and they’ve since released more segments online of their interview with her. She talks about dropping their youngest daughter Sasha, 18, off at college, and about having more alone time with Barack and how they’re rediscovering each other. They just bought an incredible $11.75 million estate on Martha’s Vineyard, most likely made possible by the proceeds from Michelle’s book. The Obamas are couples goals and I enjoyed the way she described spending time with Barack now that their daughters are out of the house. Here are excerpts from her interview with People.
On how emotional it was to drop Sasha off at college
“Time just goes so fast. But like so many experiences in the last 10 years, we wanted to make it feel as normal as possible, given our family’s circumstances,”“It was of course a little emotional to drop Sasha off at college,” says Mrs. Obama, admitting “the tough part” has been “missing our girls.”
“It’s an adjustment to see each other for a weekend here, a holiday break there, but the moments we do spend together feel extra special because of it,” she says.
“We were there, just like most parents, helping her unpack and make her dorm room feel like home,” Mrs. Obama says.
On letting their daughters be independent
“Barack and I try to make sure that our daughters know that there’s no limit to what they can be or what they can achieve,” Mrs. Obama tells PEOPLE. “They don’t learn that if their parents treat them like delicate little ornaments, set aside so they won’t break. Girls need to have the chance to create and explore and skin their knees from time to time, too.”“But by and large, we let her take care of herself,” she continues. “As a parent, one of the most important things we can give our children is the freedom to find their own way in the world.”
“The most gratifying part of it all has been watching the girls enter into their next phase of independence,” Mrs. Obama says. “Our role as parents is to raise self-sufficient, thoughtful, and compassionate individuals, and in order for them to fully embrace their own journeys, we have to be willing to let them go, so that they can grow on their own. That’s the only way they can become more.”
On reconnecting with Barack now that their daughters are at school
“We’ve rediscovered all these little pockets of time, just me and Barack, that for a couple decades have been filled with school events or sports practices,” Mrs. Obama, 55, tells PEOPLE. “We’re taking full advantage of this new normal, simply spending time with each other and remembering what brought us together in the first place.”“Sometimes I’ll get a glimpse of him and just go, ‘Hey you! Where have you been for 21 years?’ ” she continues. “It’s been fun. The tough part, of course, is missing our girls. It’s an adjustment to see each other for a weekend here, a holiday break there, but the moments we do spend together feel extra special because of it.”
[From two stories on People.com]
Michelle also said that she can text her daughters, unlike when she was at school and had to connect with her mom on the phone. I went to school in the early 90s and my parents had AOL dial-up internet. My mom and I used to send long emails to each other and it was so nice. I wish I still had them somewhere. Now I’m on the other side of that, like Michelle, and my son is set to graduate in 2021. I’m trying to savor my time with him, to prepare him to be independent, and to be able to move into the next chapter of my life. Michelle makes it sound wonderful, like she’s enjoying life and ready for whatever is next. I really admire her and want the best for her, Barack and their daughters.
Sasha grew up so gorgeous!! I adore this family & miss them
WORD.
stunning.
They way she articulated her and Barak’s approach to parenting …. could you imagine if Trump has instilled in his hangers-on children even a speck of that? Every time I hear the Obamas speak, I’m reminded how far we’ve fallen.
Sob! Love them, miss them so much. My forever first family.
I am remembering when I was so proud of our first family. It was a lovely time, and I knew I would miss them. But I couldn’t have imagined How much. *tears*
I’m sitting here crying because I’m happy and devastated at the same time. So happy that this wonderful family is moving on and doing well. The girls are SO grown up and they’re simply glorious. Michelle and Barack look so proud and happy and they deserve EVERY BIT OF IT.
And I’m devastated because I don’t recognize the world anymore. I know it’s foolish to fantasize about the days President Obama was in office because the seeds of hate and madness were being sown while he was in office, by the people driven mad with the thought of a wonderful, successful, intelligent, BLACK President of the United States. But I miss them so much and I know that we may never see anything like this family again. The world has been too poisoned.
God bless them forever.
Yes. I think about this at times. I was living in some fantasy world. I knew they were out there, listen I was on the streets literally during the summer of the townhalls. 2009, the ACA. I knew they were there. I had run ins with them. But I didn’t know how widespread it was. I view white america as being viciously racist and they got a bad stomach ache during the obama years, watching this black family excel, such a bad stomach ache that it gave them diarrhea. Really bad diarrhea. And then in 2016 the squatted down and squirted all that diarrhea into the white house. And we call it trump.
That’s a really good analogy. How I miss these people!
Graphic, but so true.
I totally forgot Sasha graduated this year. She’s been at Michigan all this time. I’m as proud of those girls as if they were my own. The Obamas have done a wonderful job raising them in the spotlight. I love the glimpse into their marriage as well. I remember reading about their troubles when he first got into politics. The presidency and all the crap they had to survive has made them stronger and I am so happy for them that this next stage of their lives is for them, Barack and Michelle. Love them!
I’m so glad Sasha is at Michigan. Not just because I’m a Wolverine myself (Go Blue!) but because it’s a beautiful school that will allow her to just be normal for a bit. It’s not a big celebrity school like USC, it’s a very academically-focused Public Ivy in the Midwest. I hope she gets the chance to just be a normal college kid there.
I cannot believe how quickly these girls have grown. Beautiful young ladies. I can’t imagine the pressure they must have been under and probably still have to a certain degree. Kudos to both parents and the young ladies. I love this family.
I really cannot get over how stunning Sasha is. Just a stunner! Wow, she’d be turning heads everywhere no matter what her last name was.
Gorgeous family inside and out.
I remember that when he was elected, there was a ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial the day before the inauguration. Sasha was 7 (so little!). There were four chairs for the family. I was watching on TV and Sasha patted the seat next to her and looked up at him with a huge smile as if to say, “Here Daddy! I saved a seat for you!” It was so adorable.
My mother LOVED the way Sasha clearly adored her father. She was as ride or die Obama as a West Indian woman who lived in England for 15 years and spent the rest of her life in Canada could be. Whenever she saw a picture of Sasha, she would say ‘As for THAT one!’, with so much affection. Mother would have loved to see what amazing young women both girls had grown in to. But she would have never survived Trump being elected, so it’s just as well.
Yeah, I always noticed that she was a Daddy’s Girl and how adorable it was. I think I first noticed it in a pic or video if the helicopter landing in the WH lawn. Michelle and Malia where standing off to the side waiting to greet Obama very composed but Sasha took off running to him and jumped in his arms. It was so cute.
That insta family portrait is everything…. No airs or graces but instead lots of love and grace.
The People cover is stunning. I love how they’re raising their children and I’m trying to model it as best as i can with my own. I miss them but I’m thrilled that they’re off living their best lives. Btw, who would have thought that Sasha would be the bombshell, she’s gorgeous!
I love Michelle and the entire Obama family. They did so much for for this country and they are always so kind and lovely. I miss them.
I’m truly so happy for them and how they moving on and happy. I just will always view them as my first family.
Sasha is stunning! I can’t believe they are all grown up.
I’m crying, I miss them too! Those were wonderful years when he was POTUS ! 😥
I love Michelle Obama. ❤️ That’s all.