Barack Obama Reflects on Fatherhood in a Touching Tribute to Michelle and His Daughters

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

In an incredibly touching 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 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 on November 14. “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 sweet 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.”

“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.”

According to People,  A Promised Land is the first of two volumes about Obama’s time as president. In it, he not only opens up about how the presidency affected his marriage, but how the couple worked through it and are rediscovering their relationship.

These days Barack Obama is focused on living a normal(ish) life. He even joked that his wife would leave him if he ever considered working at the White House following Joe Biden’s election win. “There are probably some things I would not be doing, ’cause Michelle would leave me. She’d be like, “What? You’re doin’ what?’” he told CBS Sunday Morning’s Gayle King in a new interview.

Obama’s new memoir comes out on November 17. 

Originally Appeared on Glamour