President Barack Obama dedicated several minutes of his final address in Chicago Tuesday night to thanking his wife, Michelle, and their daughters, Sasha and Malia. Addressing Michelle as a “girl of the south side,” he said, “For the past 25 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 humor.

"You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody,” he continued. “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.”

She received a standing ovation from the crowd, and the president had to wipe away tears. Malia, who sat next to her mother, also cried.

Next, he turned to his children. “Malia and Sasha,” he said, “under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women. You are smart and you are beautiful, but more importantly, you are kind and you are thoughtful, and you are full of passion. And you wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that I have done in my life, I am most proud to be your dad.”

At 15, Sasha has spent over half of her life in the White House, while at 18, Malia has spent a little under half her life living in the spotlight that the First Family endures. Michelle could be seen mouthing, “I love you,” to her husband during his tribute.