Dear President Obama,

Can you believe that it has been eight years now since you took the oath to become the president of the United States? I remember it like it was just yesterday. I remember staying up for the 2008 election to make sure that it was you that had won. I remember watching your inauguration, listening to Beyonce serenade you and the First Lady as you danced with the eyes of the nation and the entire world on you. I was only in 6th grade, but there was something about your charisma, your inspiring slogan of "Yes We Can," the fact that you broke barriers as being the first African American president in the history of our nation, that made me believe that you could be great. You gave us all hope that the United States was on the fast track of breaking down the last of our prejudices.

Throughout your two terms, you did your best to bring down unemployment, to help all Americans gain access to affordable healthcare, to shed light on the growing crisis that is climate change, and so much more. Although not every American agreed with you, it was clear from the beginning that you were dedicated to leave the United States better than how you found it, in the best possible ways you could think of. I remember the day that same-sex marriage was made legal by the Supreme Court, how you celebrated and supported Americans everywhere for their right to now spend the rest of their lives loving whomever they wanted. That may not have boosted our economy, or lowered taxes, but to me and every other American, it was creating equality amongst us, which is so much more important.

Unfortunately, you also had to deal with so many tragedies during your time as president, in our country and around the world. The one that always stuck out in my mind was the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Following the shooting of the teachers and kindergarteners, you spoke to America. People around the world grieved for these families, but you, you cried with us too. You let your guard down and let the world in on how much this tragedy affected you, as a father and not just as president. Although this was not the only shooting you had to address during your time as president, it was easily one of the most heartbreaking. In those moments as you spoke to the nation, while wiping tears from your eyes, I felt like you were a father, a brother, a friend, or anything that America needed you to be. You were one of us.

Since 2008, you have grown in the hearts of Americans everywhere. With the eyes of the world on you, you and your beautiful family have endured as a symbol of grace over the last eight years. There were no scandals, no lies, but just a family of four. And First Lady Michelle was an inspiration for girls everywhere, helping to spread nutrition and education to children as best she could. For me personally (since I want to be a lawyer), having a First Lady who had such style and grace, AND a law degree, only made me want to try harder to reach my dreams. Over the last eight years, there are many things that people could argue that you did wrong, or that you could've done better. But there many things you did right, and I don't think anyone could question that you always gave 110% of yourself to your job and this country. We have many reasons to thank you, and to celebrate your time as our 44th president. You will go down in history books for the things you've accomplished, but more importantly you will go down in our hearts as a man of the people.

So thanks, Obama.