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From one pair offirst daughters to another! President George W. Bush's twin daughters – Barbara Bush and Jenna Bush Hager – have penned an open, heartfelt letter to Malia and Sasha Obama offering them adviceas they prepare to join the club of “formerFirst Children.”
“We have watched you grow from girls to impressive young womenwith grace and ease,” the 35-year-olds wrote in the letter published by Time magazine. “And through it all you had eachother. Just like we did.”
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Barbara, left, and Jenna, right, with their parents George W and Laura Photo: Shealah Craighead/The White House via Getty Images
They continued, “Now you are aboutto join another rarified club, one of former First Children—a position youdidn’t seek and one with no guidelines. But you have so much to look forwardto. You will be writing the story of your lives, beyond the shadow of yourfamous parents, yet you will always carry with you the experiences of the pasteight years.”
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Jenna and Barbara first showed theObama girls around the White House, which became their home for eight years, back in 2008. In the letter, the Bush sistersacknowledged that growing up with Secret Service wasn’t easy, but remindedPresident Obama’s girls to never forget the relationships they developedwith the staff at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, who “put their lives on hold” forthem. The twins recalled, “They were part of growing up for us: there for first dates,first days and even an engagement and a honeymoon.”
Photo: Pete Souza/The White House via Getty Images
Now as Malia prepares to start college this upcoming fall, the Today Show correspondent and the co-founder of Global Health Corps encouraged the teenagers – Malia, 18 and Sasha, 15 – to enjoy the next chapter of their lives.
Barbara Bush writes letter to twin sister Jenna Bush Hager
“Enjoy college. As most of theworld knows, we did,” they wrote, a nod to making national headlines with underage drinking. “And you won’t have the weight of the worldon your young shoulders anymore. Explore your passions. Learn who you are. Makemistakes—you are allowed to. Continue to surround yourself with loyal friendswho know you, adore you and will fiercely protect you. Those who judge youdon’t love you, and their voices shouldn’t hold weight. Rather, it’s your ownhearts that matter.”
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The Bush sisterswrapped the moving letter writing, “You havelived through the unbelievable pressure of the White House. You have listenedto harsh criticism of your parents by people who had never even met them. Youstood by as your precious parents were reduced to headlines. Your parents, whoput you first and who not only showed you but gave you the world. As always,they will be rooting for you as you begin your next chapter. And so will we.”