Michelle Obama tears up in her final speech as FLOTUS

We’re inching closer to Inauguration Day and the official end of the Obamas’ reign in the White House. *Pause for sobbing.* And today, with tears in her eyes, Michelle Obama delivered her final speech as FLOTUS, prompting floods of emotion from those around her.

Celebrating her last National School Counselor of the Year ceremony, an initiative she launched in 2015 to highlight the incredible work being done by school counselors around the country helping students to achieve their academic potential, Michelle offered words of hope, praise, and motivation to the current generation of young people.

"For all the young people in this room and those who are watching, know that this country belongs to you — to all of you, from every background and walk of life...Do not ever let anyone make you feel like you don’t matter, or like you don’t have a place in our American story — because you do. And you have a right to be exactly who you are. But I also want to be very clear: This right isn’t just handed to you. No, this right has to be earned every single day. You cannot take your freedoms for granted. Just like generations who have come before you, you have to do your part to preserve and protect those freedoms. And that starts right now, when you’re young."

If you’re not sobbing yet, just watch the full speech below. And be sure to keep a box of tissues handy — because it’s a doozy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ae1hHuajIcw?feature=oembed

While this event at the White House marked her last official speech as First Lady, Michelle will appear on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on January 11th. So tune in then to get one more dose of one of the greatest First Ladies our nation has ever known.

*Sob sob*

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