Is it possible to talk about this book (or the documentary) or Michelle herself without just falling all over myself, fawning? Not really! So I’ll keep it brief: I had the privilege of listening to the audiobook and laughing & crying along to her soothing voice as she walks us through her early life and time in school, and the epic meet-cute with Barack, their initial struggles to get pregnant, their balancing work and parenting, and the decisions for Barack to campaign for higher and higher public offices. I think what I love the most about her is how despite it all she is still so clearly herself. Michelle is so levelheaded I know many wish she would run for president herself (she assures she won’t, unfortunately) but it is just such a joy to hear how she tried to raise her girls to be “normal” despite the privileges afforded their 8 years living in the White House (and forever having a president for a father) and see how she had worries about the health and well-being of her family just like any other wife & mother. And for the Netflix watchers out there, I can also say how freaking cool it is to see her style evolve post 2016 when she can be more playful and less spouse of the leader of the free world. She makes jokes about herself and her husband. She flashes a shiny, opalescent thigh-high boot. She listens sincerely to young women who are just like she was growing up in Chicago, encouraging every one of them to dare to be themselves and aspire to be whoever it is they truly ought to be. Her story, save for the White House bit, is really that of anyone. And I applaud her and anyone else struggling now because there is still so much room to grow and be free and be you and I can’t wait to see when that day comes