The former president dedicates his new memoir to his family

Barack Obama’s new memoir, A Promised Land, includes a very special dedication to his family.

In a sweet tribute to his wife Michelle Obama and their two daughters Sasha and Malia, the former president of the United States reflected on what it means to be a father and why he considers it the most important role in his life.

“The fact that my own father was largely absent from my childhood helped shape my ideas about the kind of father I intended to be,” he wrote in an Instagram post. “When Malia was born, I made a promise to myself that my kids would know me, that they’d grow up feeling my love keenly and consistently, knowing that I’d always put them first.” 

Obama shared his message alongside a throwback family photo, along with the book’s dedication: “To Michelle—my love and life’s partner and Malia and Sasha—whose dazzling light makes everything brighter.”

It cannot be easy to run an entire country and keep that commitment to your family, but Barack said he made it work.

“While serving as President, I made sure to have dinner with Michelle, Sasha, and Malia every evening by 6:30. We’d eat some good meals and catch up on our days,” he continued in the caption. “Seeing them grow up into the intelligent, strong, and compassionate young women they’ve become has been the greatest joy of my life. I’m reminded constantly that there’s no place in the world I’d rather be than with Miche and our girls—and it's why I've dedicated my memoir to them.”