The White House Friendship You Never Hear About—But We’re So In Love With

During the past eight years, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have blessed us with their White House friendship. No matter your political affiliation, it’s hard to resist the heartwarming and sometimes cheeky bromance. Obama is the wise and supportive father figure you wish would legally adopt you, while Biden is your wacky but lovable uncle who puts Whoopee cushions on everyone’s chair before Christmas dinner. Obama and Biden undoubtedly complement each other, but perhaps the more inspiring White House friendship is the one you don’t usually hear about: that of #girlbosses Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden.

To better explain the girl power coursing through this friendship, if Barack and Joe were Beyoncé, then Michelle and Jill would be Sasha Fierce. They have built a strong bond through their charitable efforts, a partnership rooted in bettering the lives of the American people, particularly those in the military community. As reported by US Weekly, Michelle and Jill spoke about this bond at the recent Joining Forces event that took place at the White House on November 14. During the event, the two discussed how both families have become one upon the end of their eight years in office. Prior to the discussion, Jill introduced Michelle to the stage, saying, “As a military mom, I am grateful for her service. I love her. We’re family.” Michelle spoke highly of her friend, saying, “Jill has been by far the best partner I could’ve ever imagined. Not just for the work on Joining Forces, but our families have joined forces in so many ways… I love and admire her with all my heart.”

This friendship flourished through their 2011 creation of Joining Forces, a program that aims to collaborate with public and private sectors in order to provide service members, veterans, and their families with secure and successful lives. Through their passion and benevolence, Michelle and Jill’s initiative has provided employment and career development opportunities for veterans and military spouses, encouraged family-friendly work environments, offered educational opportunities, and expanded access to wellness programs. Their program recently celebrated its fifth year of telling the stories of those who fought for our country and giving back to them for their tremendous service.

At their final Joining Forces event, both women swore to stand by one another and continue to keep the initiative alive. Michelle provided some closing words regarding Jill, saying, “We have laughed together. We have been silly together. We have cried a lot. We’ve been there for each other as much as we can throughout this amazing journey… She is one of the strongest people I know.” As if we needed another reason to fall in love with Michelle and Jill, it is an understatement to say their relationship is one most women aim to emulate. Each woman is infinitely inspiring in her own right. But together, they each add unique struggles, successes, and passions that make the friendship of the first and second ladies relatable as well as admirable. Barak and Joe will always occupy a special place in our hearts (specifically the place that loves memes), but Michelle and Jill are the two halves of the White House friendship we will always remember.

 

by Abby Welles