Special Delivery
Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 6:18 PM I was rushing to get ready for class today when a manila envelope slid under the front door of my apartment. I'm accustomed to the whoosh sound of takeout menus passing through, and assumed this was the same. Was I wrong! As I picked up the envelope, and saw "White House" typed in the return address corner, my heart began to race. I grabbed scissors and carefully snipped one side, intent not to damage the contents with a haphazard tear. Inside I found a brief, lovely note from the First Lady, signed "Michelle Obama". Needless to say, this note has more than made my day. It is an absolute honor to hear from Mrs. Obama, and her sentiments make it all the more meaningful.
With some frequency, I'm asked if I've had contact with the First Lady. And until now, I had not. I usually answer along the lines of, "I'm sure Mrs. Obama has more important things to do than to be bothered with some pesky blogger," which I still imagine to be true. But it delights me to no end to have this piece of correspondence, which I will treasure. Last year I sent Mrs. Obama a copy of "Mrs. O: The Face of Fashion Democracy" with a personal note enclosed. The note received today is in reply. I wanted to share it here, as each one of you contributes so much to this blog. In that sense, this note belongs every bit to you as well. For me, it is a reminder of what a kind and genuine First Lady we are so fortunate to have in Mrs. Obama.
Reader Comments (97)
WOW, WOW, WOW! Totally Incredible!
I'm with Charlene....this is fantastic! Congratulations to you!
I think I would have to frame it beautifully for my office. Oh! I'm so happy for you and how very kind of Mrs. O to acknowledge your beautiful book.
Kudos to you... Congratulations!
How lovely for you! Congratulations!!!
Awesome, I love this blog. You deserve this recognition and more. I love seeing what MO is wearing as she goes about our country's business! Just awesome!
A wonderful token of appreciation! Memorable and appropriate! This is my favorite blog...
My heart is filled with joy for you Mrs. T...congrats TRULY. I am so proud of you and happy for you!
You deserve this reply and thank you for enjoying it with all of your readers (most of all, because of the dear Mrs O.'s handwriting (signature) ! Félicitations et continuez à nous faire apprécier le style de la chère Mrs O. grâce à votre blog !
Congrats on the FOTUS nod.
Oh Mrs. T, how wonderful. I actually got tears in my eyes when I read the note. It's nice to know Mrs. O appreciates you as much as we do.
That is so awesome and cool, but why'd it get slid under your door? Does your mail always come that way?
It was gracious of the First Lady to take time to respond to you.
Congratulation Mrs.T *Fist Pump* & *high five*
Congratulations Mrs.T *Fist Pump* & *high five*
Thanks everyone! Yay!
@Rachel, The letter was in a rather large envelope with a cardboard piece that I imagine wouldn't fit into my mailbox. (I live in an apartment building with rows of small metal mailboxes.) I think it was left in the mail room and our superintendent dropped it off.
Congrats Mrs T. You deserve the recognition. Two ladies of class.
You deserve all of the First Lady's gratitude! What a wonderful gift to you for the wonderful news you share here with all of us.
I applaud you!
Congratulations. What a wonderful treasure. Of course, you gave her a wonderful treasure as well. Smiles all around!
Many congrats. What a treasure.
that is absolutely so classy and cool.
Oh sweetheart :) I'm so happy for you. You deserve the acknowledgement for your fab book and blog and for celebrating the first lady with such warmth and love.
{{{Hugs}}}
OK Mrs.O and staff, pardon me for being a bit presumptuous; please invite our Mrs T for tea at the White House, as Jestina suggested, so she can tell you personally, from all of us, how much we love and admire you and your incredible family. And thank you so much for acknowledging her labor of love. (Tearing up)
That's wonderful, Mrs. T. I'm so glad that you gave a copy of your book to Mrs. O, and that she sent you such a lovely reply. Definitely a keeper (I would frame it). Thanks for your informative and fascinating book which chronicles, not only Mrs. O's journey, her style & her beautiful clothes, but also gives great insight into the world of design and pays respect to the designers. There is such a wealth of information in your book, such food for the eye and the intellect. In the end, that is what Mrs. O is about, not just fashion and beautiful clothes, but style and substance. Another wonderful book was recently published (Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama & the Power of Style) which explores the issue of Mrs. O's style and substance as well as developing an interesting thesis about first ladies, cultural dichotomies and the difference between fashion and style, and the difficulties of having it all. This book, by Kate Betts, to me is very much a companion piece to your wonderful book. Like your book, it is a must-read.
Kudos to you, Mrs. T, and thank you for creating this blog as well. You are doing so much not only for those who wish to follow Mrs. Obama's stylish trajectory and her influence on fashion, but also you are helping to put a spotlight on the important work Mrs. Obama is doing as first lady.
A wonderful surprise, a lovely compliment, and a priceless treasure to enjoy - I am delighted for you.
Wow! That's great!! You deserve it because your blog is and your book are fabulous!
Well deserved Mrs T!!!!!!
Nothing to add ! Agree with already said ! Congratulations and blessings and hugs. Mrs O is such an incredible woman ! The same kind of book and blog could not exist here in France about our FL, who is... let's say, quite different from yours :-). Mrs O is incredibly inspiring for every woman and girl, no matter who you are, what is your look and your life : self-confident or not, curvy or not, Black or not, powerful or not, upper class or not... A blog such as yours can exist only about a woman like her. Please Mrs T, go on with the job, I need the reading every now, you are my only addiction :-) . And I am (I mean : sure we all are ...) waiting to read soon something on this blog about a tea-time invitation on the white house lane :-)
Hi Mrs. T..........Could you imagine that I have my husband reading your blog at times. He has a suggestion for your note from Mrs. O.........Here it is............Get a photo of the front cover of your book and place it at the side of the note.........then frame it. I endorse the suggestion ;-)........I am still so excited about your note.
Congrats Mrs T I have always loved your blog and wish it all the best.
In fact I am too inspired by the Obamas as a lifetime Arizona republican, Goldwater post 1992 I admired greatly. In 2008 I switch-hit for the DEMS although I remain on paper republican.
Nonetheless, I realize this is not a political blog and mine is however I added a screen capture of your blog in my links because I do love it.
Ciao form Europe,
Lee aka spqr1052
http://www.teamobama2012.com
(You may redact this link of course, totally understandable.)
Heartfelt Congratulations, you have worked tirelessly to promote the First Lady. May you carry the happiness her letter brought you in your heart always.
Souvenir for the ages! I have a letter from JFK in response to some kiddie letter I wrote and cherish it!
How fantastic! She is truly a classy lady, who knows a wonderful book when she sees one;) I adore my copy, and am completely thrilled on your behalf. Keep up the fabulous work!
How wonderful. I'm so glad to read that your terrific work was acknowledged by the ultra-fabulous First Lady herself! Seems well-deserved.
@trinisamba your husband's idea is brilliant! What a keepsake that would make.
Please don't take it too personally ... It's called an "autopen" ... sorry ...
Does the world need another cynical heart?!? I was waiting for someone to throw a wrench into our happiness and a bookworm lived up to its name. Who cares if it is an 'autopen'? I certainly don't. I celebrate the fact that Mrs. T is acknowledged by Mrs. O and I hope that Mrs. T. takes it very personally. I also suspect that Mrs. O would personally sign something like this.
How wonderful! Congratulations and Thank You for all that you do.
The book has a prominent spot in my home. It was beautifully and respectfully done.
The blog has a prominent spot in my daily routine. It is a constant source of inspiration...as is its subject and its creator. KUDOS!!!!
Mrs. Obama...love you, but a one paragraph thank-you letter months after a flattering book is published about you?
I got a longer letter in the mail (albeit a machine-signed form letter) from first lady Hillary Clinton simply for wishing her happy birthday on the White House website in 1997.
Then again, Mary is right...she has many important things to do in her important role as first lady. Keep up the good work Mrs. T!
Mrs T - what a wonderful response and certainly an acknowledgement of Your sincere work with "Mrs-O" and with this blog, which I, with the utmost pleasure, have being following since the fall of 2008.
Wonderful and well deserved.
Congratulation and thanks for keeping us updated on Mrs. Obama's fashion. She is an amazing first lady and fashionista.
Congratulations Mrs. T!
I am so very happy for you. You certainly deserve all of the acclaim and accolades coming your way!
I have always had a hunch, Mrs. O might have been keeping an eye on you and on this site. Your commentary is always so thoughtful, the pictures are beautiful, the discussions are respectful and often quite thought provoking. I appreciate all of the research that goes into providing accuracy.
Your admiration and respect Mrs. Obama are obvious; as is: your affection for your readers, and their affection, in return, for you. I love this site and I love being a part of this community.
I wish you nothing but the very best!
Peace.
Mrs. O is wonderful!!! I love her! So nice of her.
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S
Mrs. T and thank you for your work, time and dedication. MRS-O.ORG is GREAT!
i am absolutely ecstatic for you!
flotus has a lot of fans in the uk - and i am one among many who enjoy this blog!
Congratulations Mrs. T!!! For a job well done!! I look forward to reading your blog everyday to see what the First Lady is wearing!! As co-founder of a fashion club in my hometown I think I am going to plan an Icon Party celebrating her contribution to fashion!!!!
That's awesome! Congrats, Mary. Now I just need to get that book.
wow!i am sooooo happy for you.i hope to get there some day.;-)
http://www.popsugar.com/fashion/Michelle-Obama-Best-Dresses-40919304#photo-40919375