Malia and Sasha Obama Attend Their 1st State Dinner; President Says ‘They Grow Up Too Fast’

The first daughters, Malia and Sasha Obama, looked completely stunning while attending their first state dinner Thursday night, which was held in honor of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. 

And perhaps it was a timely experience. Trudeau, whose own father was a prime minister from the time he was born until he was 8 years old, acknowledged the Obama girls’ unique childhood experiences growing up in the spotlight of their dad’s presidency. 

“The memories for me of being a kid and not being old enough to attend these kinds of events with my father almost makes me wish I had gone through my teenage years as a child of a world leader—but not quite,” Trudeau quipped during his remarks at the dinner.  

“I admire you very much, both of you, for your extraordinary strength and your grace, through what is a remarkable childhood and young adulthood that will give you extraordinary strength and wisdom beyond your years for the rest of your life. The one thing that you have received from your extraordinary parents is the tools to be able to handle the challenges and the opportunities in front of you. So thank you very much for joining us tonight,” the prime minister added.

Even President Barack Obama got a little nostalgic during his remarks recalling how little the first daughters were (Malia just 10 and Sasha, 7) when he was first elected. “They grow up too fast. This fall, Malia heads off to college. And I’m starting to choke up,” the president said.