Dear President Obama,

I remember the day you were inaugurated. My teacher turns on the TV and tells us "History is being made, and we're going to watch it." I had absolutely no idea what was going on, or who you even were. But the silence and focus from my teacher told me the gravity of the situation. I remember the recession — my friends and I all describe it as a dark period. There was a somber tone from all around, and occasionally the tension would would burst into fights among my parents. I became accustomed to finding any item on sale and to making sure my Christmas lists didn't financially hurt my parents. My mom was particularly worried that she might lose her job, as her department got smaller and smaller. Thankfully, she never did, but the fear of losing her job when I was in middle school was worrying to me. Again, I knew little about the economy, about politics, about almost anything. It was too long ago to remember anything other than the feeling, and the feeling was just darkness.

Since then times have changed. Up until last week, I felt very comfortable living in the US. I was proud of my nation and it felt like the sun was shining on America. In terms of feelings, that darkness has long been gone. Maybe not all thanks to you, but definitely to some extent. Google and Apple revolutionizing technology helped. But you and your team's monetary policy, and foreign policy, put America back on track, and facilitated the growth of the economy. I'm not entirely sure how you guys were able to do it. But inflation rates have been kept at around two percent, the unemployment rate is at about 4.9% (right around the target) and the job forecasts are being outdone year after year. But to be fair, I never thought you were one of the greatest presidents ever. I did not have much to compare you against. You were my only president. But after last weeks election, it became clear you were. I guess the old saying is true, you don't realize how good something is until you lose it.

It took Donald Trump getting elected for me to realize: you are one of the greats. The reason is because you made America feel comfortable, at least to me. America had problems, and you recognized them, but every speech permeated hope that we would overcome. You have inspired me to learn foreign policy and economics. I did not appreciate you enough when you were president. But I promise I will fight for your legacy, especially with the Paris Agreement. Thank you, President Obama, for being America's dad for 8 years. I'm not sure how history will remember you, but I know how I will.

From,

Steven