Malia and Sasha Obama essentially grew up in the White House during their father's presidency, so, as one can imagine, saying goodbye to their childhood home after eight years was likely quite difficult. However, the Obama girls reportedly said goodbye in a festive fashion, as Malia and Sasha spent their final night in the White House hosting a sleepover for their closest girl friends.
News about how the Obama girls spent their final night in the White House came directly from their mother, former First Lady Michelle Obama, who recently shared the endearing story during a question-and-answer session at the American Institute of Architecture conference, her first public appearance since her husband left office in January. In revealing what the girls did to honor their last night in their home, Michelle stated:
They had a sleepover, because of course on Inauguration Day, because my girls are so normal, they're like, 'Well, eight girls are gonna be sleeping here because it's our last time, and we want pizza and we want nuggets.' And it's like, really?
During the question-and-answer session, Michelle also reflected on how difficult the transition out of the White House was for the entire Obama family after having spent eight years there together. She revealed that right before the Trumps arrived at the White House, her "kids were leaving out the back door in tears, saying goodbye to people." Michelle also indicated that while she was also emotional, she had to remain collected, as she "didn't want to have tears in her eyes because people would swear she was crying because of the new president."
Michelle and the girls were likely not the only ones who had a hard time saying goodbye to the White House. Indeed, in an interview in January shortly before his last day in office, former President Barack Obama talked with George Stephanopoulos about what the White House had meant to him and his family. During the interview, Obama indicated that he was grateful for the family time that the White House allowed him, noting the extreme proximity of his office to his living quarters. The former president also reflected on how the house was a truly treasured home for him and his children.
When you open a door and they're in their pajamas and they're, you know, wrestling with you and asking you, you know, to read to them and stuff, you know it starts feeling like home pretty quick ... It feels even more like home now because you have all these memories that were formed watching your kids grow up.
It is very clear that, beyond serving as the residence of the former first family, the White House truly was a home for the Obamas, with all of the sentimentality and wonderful memories that home encapsulates. I can't think of a better way to honor your childhood home than by a last night sleepover full of friends, food, and fun. Kudos to Malia and Sasha for a fitting farewell to their family home.
