Last night President Barack Obama delivered his farewell address in Chicago, the hometown where he first launched his political campaign over a decade ago.
In a 60-minute address to the United States of America, Obama reminded friends, family and committed supporters in the room why they voted for him not once but twice over the past eight years.
In his final speech Barack reflected on his political career, recalling when he first arrived in Chicago in his tender twenties on the quest for his purpose in life to the often overwhelming challenges he faced during presidency, as the United States stood against the plight of terrorism and climate change.
But it was also his final chance to ask attentive listeners across the globe the same question he posed when elected eight years ago in the very same city:
"I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change - but in yours."
The powerful words left not only the audience and viewers at home weeping but the president himself, as he wiped away his tears towards the end of his farewell speech.
We reflect on the sweetest moments of his presidential farewell below:
He reminded us that mums know best (even when you're the President of the United States)
"How can elected officials rage about deficits when we propose to spend money on preschool for kids, but not when we're cutting taxes for corporations? How do we excuse ethical lapses in our own party, but pounce when the other party does the same thing? It's not just dishonest, this selective sorting of the facts; it's self-defeating. Because as my mother used to tell me, reality has a way of catching up with you."
He penned a love letter to Michelle
The thing we’ll miss about Obama when he steps down after eight years of presidency the most? Barack and Michelle’s romance of course. In a world where Hiddleswift and #Bradxit make us question whether true love really does exist like that we read about in fairy tales as children, there has never been a greater need for a romance like Michelle and Barack's.
And we were reminded just how much they have touched us when Obama addressed Michelle during his farewell speech, referring to his wife as his ‘best friend’ and ‘role model’:
“Michelle - for the past twenty-five years, you've been not only my wife and mother of my children, but my best friend. You took on a role you didn't ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humour. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. You've made me proud. You've made the country proud.”
So. Many. Feels.
He made his daughter Malia (and us) well up
When Barack told his daughters Malia and Sasha that they are the biggest achievement of his life, we couldn’t quite swallow the lump in our throats. And neither could his eldest, Malia, as she swept away her tears of pride, resting her head on mum Michelle.
He addressed his daughters towards the end of his speech: "Malia and Sasha, under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women, smart and beautiful, but more importantly, kind and thoughtful and full of passion. You wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that I've done in my life, I'm most proud to be your dad.”
But Obama's youngest daughter Sasha was notably absent, inspiring the hashtag 'Where is Sasha?' to trend on Twitter. Though it turns out the 15-year-old was at home revising, as she had an exam at school in the morning. Barack's job (other than being President of the United States) is being a dad after all...
He finally confirmed his bromance with Joe Biden
For months we have been obsessing over the gift that is the @joebamabromance Instagram account. With daily memes reminding us of the bromance between Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, there isn’t a day that goes by where we don’t tag our friends in a picture of the pair giving us major #BFFgoals.
Barack declared: "To Joe Biden, the scrappy kid from Scranton who became Delaware's favourite son: you were the first choice I made as a nominee, and the best. Not just because you have been a great Vice President, but because in the bargain, I gained a brother."
"We love you and Jill like family, and your friendship has been one of the great joys of our life.”
Obama out. Mic drop
Watch the best moments from Obama's farewell speech below...
READ MORE: 12 Times We Wished Barack Obama Was Our Dad
READ MORE: Watch Obama Dance To Drake's Hotline Bling