KEY POINTS

  • Michelle Obama had to postpone her trip to Hawaii because of Barack Obama
  • Michelle Obama understood how important politics is for her husband
  • Michelle Obama and Barack Obama celebrated Christmas in Hawaii while Malia was just 18 months old 

Michelle Obama talked about one of the many Christmases she has celebrated with her husband, Barack Obama.

In her memoir “Becoming,” the ex-FLOTUS revealed that she, Barack, and their then-18-month-old daughter Malia, were scheduled to fly to Hawaii to celebrate the holidays. While there, they were also supposed to meet with Barack’s grandmother, Toot.

Their tickets have already been booked, and they were all set on going but politics got in the way. The ex-POTUS called his wife and told her that the Illinois senate was hung up on a marathon debate amid a major crime bill.

The former president of the United States told Michelle that they would have to postpone their trip to Hawaii. The former first lady wasn’t pleased with what her husband told her, but she was more than understanding of the situation.

After all, the trip will only be postponed and not canceled.

“I didn't want Toot spending Christmas alone, and beyond that Barak and I needed the downtime. The trip to Hawaii, I was figuring, would separate both of us from our work and give us a chance to simply breathe,” she said.

Barack, Michelle, and Malia flew to Hawaii two days before Christmas, and they spent the holidays at Toot’s apartment. But while opening their presents and chatting, Barack received another phone call from Illinois informing him that the senate was going back to session.

“With a sinking heart I watched as Barack jumped into action, rebooking out flights to leave the following day pulling the plug on our vacation,” she said.

Meanwhile, the ex-FLOTUS also talked about another devastating incident in her life years ago. After the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012 in Newtown, Connecticut, Michelle clung to her daughters.

Her husband, Barack, spoke at a prayer vigil being held for the victims two days after the tragic incident. But the former first lady said that she couldn’t bring herself to join her husband.

Michelle was so shaken by the shooting that she felt she had no strength left. Instead of trying to comfort other mourning parents, she simply clung to Malia and Sasha with fear and love intertwined.

Barack and Michelle Obama
Barack and Michelle Obama greeted each other on Valentine's Day on Twitter. Pictured: Barack and Michelle kiss as they wait for President-elect Donald Trump and wife Melania at the White House before the inauguration on Jan. 20, 2017 in Washington, D.C. Getty Images/Kevin Dietsch