Okay, okay. I know you all are dying to know who our visitor was today. So I won’t keep it to myself any longer.
Each year this person visits the children at the hospital where Ryan is and reads “The Night Before Christmas”. This person also tours one floor of the hospital and stops in a handful of patients’ rooms. This year, this person toured the cardiac floor and guess who was on her list of patients to see? Our very own Ryan. So today, we got the pleasure of meeting….
The First Lady, Michelle Obama!!
Me asking her if I can put this picture on my blog and her saying yes!
Absolutely, unequivocally an amazing experience. The First Lady of the United States of America came to visit little ole’ us to see our little boy’s heart beating outside his chest. Really? Seriously?
She was incredibly friendly and genuine. She chatted with the girls and asked them their names and what they want for Christmas. Ainsley said, “Beauty” – I’m not exactly sure what she meant by that, but it is what she said. And Natalie said, “A real phone.” I’m not surprised in the least!!
Then she turned to me and said, “How are you guys doing?” And my heart stopped. How in the world do you answer that question in one phrase when you’ve had a year like ours? So short of breaking down crying on THE FIRST LADY’s shoulder I said, “Fine. We’re taking it one day at a time and hanging in there.”
That’s sounds so poised and put together doesn’t it? The reality is that my heart was beating so fast and I was so excited I felt like my brain and mouth were connecting slower than normal (I’ve heard this happens when your heart rate is elevated). So I hope it sounded as good as that looked in writing. 🙂
Henry said I didn’t look like a blubbering idiot, but he’s my hubby, he has to say that, right? Okay, on with the details.
Then I asked her if they had told her about Ryan. She said she knew a little, but ‘why don’t you tell me more.’ I said something like, “Ryan was born with a rare condition where his heart is outside his chest. Would you like me to open his shirt because it’s very fascinating and not many people get to see something like this.”
She nodded her head and leaned in…. we discussed how his heart used to be exposed and is now closed up. She asked me about his medical plan and the ever-present question “are they going to put a bone over it?” Her questions were completely honest and unscripted. I loved it. And while I was sitting there chatting with Mrs. Obama I felt like looking up at Henry and saying, “Seriously. I’m talking to the First Lady of the United States. Has anyone noticed that? She’s sitting on her haunches looking at my son’s heart beat under his skin and asking me how I’m doing.” But I didn’t say it, I refrained.
After we went over Ryan’s medical plan she said, “Well, we will certainly pray for you.” To which I said, “Thank you so much. And I will pray for you because I know what it is like to have a husband under stress.”
She laughed and said, “Yeah.” and then turned to Henry and said, “Where do you work?” Henry smiled and said, “Fannie Mae.” She chuckled, patted his knee and said, “I’m sorry!”
As she started wrapping things up, I nonchalantly asked if we could take a photo with our personal camera (something we were told was a slim chance) and wouldn’t you know it, she graciously said yes, sat down on the arm of my chair, and put her arm around me. LOVE IT!!
So in case you missed it, here it is again.
And then Santa (who was traveling with the First Lady) gave our girls books…
… and some cookies shaped like a Christmas tree and their dog Bo made by the WHITE HOUSE BAKER! (I ate a cookie made in the White House. That just plain rocks!)
After Mrs. Obama left, she headed downstairs to read a book to the gathered children. During our conversation in Ryan’s room, she invited the girls down to listen saying her little girls and their dog were down there. My girls commented about how much they love dogs. (I found out later there was an official list to get into the reading circle). Henry took them down to the festivities.
Once down there, they were met by security and asked, “Who are you with?” Dumbfounded Henry said, “Um, the First Lady said I should come.” A PR woman recognized him and said, “That’s Mr. Marquiss. She visited with him today.” At that the security officer nodded him in.
They ended up at the back of the crowd (about six rows deep) since the others had gathered while Mrs. Obama was visiting with us. At the end of the story, Mrs. Obama allowed the front row of kids to pet the dog. At that point, Ainsley piped up and said, “I wanna pet the dog.” The First Lady looked up and recognized our crew. She waved to Henry and indicated he should bring the girls up to pet the dog. The sea of people parted and our girls got to be front and center to meet Bo.
(official white house photo of the day by Samantha Appleton)
To show you how crazy my mind was working – my BIL asked me what Mrs. Obama was wearing and I said, “Um, let’s see. Black maybe.” And he said, “Probably red since it’s Christmas.” Then he asked if her hair was up or down. I said, “Hmmm, I remember her bangs framing her face, but the back might have been up.” For being such a detailed-oriented person I failed the eye-witness test today. She indeed was wearing a red sweater (raspberry according to the Washington Post) and black slacks with her hair up!
But I remember the important stuff like, she is as pretty in person as on T.V., she is tall (held her own next to the giant), and incredibly sweet. Oh, and I ate a cookie made at the White House!
(c) 2016 Leighann Marquiss
Comments (31)
Oh, Wow, this is so exciting. I am proud of you all!! And you look soooo exuberant in the photo!!
Leighann!
I’m so glad your family got to experience this very exciting once-in a lifetime opportunity. Everybody looks incredibly happy with wide smiles in the photos! Amazing! 🙂 and I’ll bet the cookies from the White House tasted delicious?! 😉 Continuing to pray for you all! <3
That is so crazy!! WOW!!! Go Ainsley for speaking up and getting to pet Bo. So excited for you all. Could of never guessed that visitor in a million years!
love ya all.
ROCKSTAR
How exciting, and what a memorable day. Blake and I were laughing at the Fannie Mae comment – hilarious! I love how “real” Mrs. Obama seemed, and how much she cared about not only Ryan’s condition, but about YOU. I’d have been a blubbering fool. Happy holidays!
Wow! Amazing! Great new photos! Keep the faith and remember to breathe! Merry Christmas!
That is so cool!! Glad you guys had such a great day 🙂
Off topic…I love the pictures updates that Misty Rice added to your blog. CUTE!!!!!
That’s so awesome! I really feel like as a mom and a Christian, she gets how having a kid is like walking around with your heart outside your chest. and then there’s your boy, with his heart actually outside his chest. Incredible. Prayers to everyone! She really seems like a sweet genuine lady. Love her.
That’s so awesome! I sure hope the girls remember this momentous occasion when they get old enough to tell their kids:)
I guess we know what picture you’re picking for the christmas card this year 🙂
What an absolutely beautiful thing….
Wow……I would’ve frozen and said some of the silliest things ever…..then later said to myself, “why did I say that?…….I sounded like an idiot, didn’t I?…..I should’ve told her or asked her (this)…..” It’s like being put on the spot…..lol
How amazing that was for all of you……Wow…….I loved how she talked to you and sat with you, etc… on such a personal level……
I swear I may sound a little strange, but my eyes were fill with tears reading your story and seeing your pictures…..What a special time you all will never forget! :0)
p.s. How were the cookies? :0)
How Special is that….. WOW you must still be in AWE. What a special meeting to put in Ryan’s baby book and a special page in a scrap book for the girls. You all look fabulous. It’s just so neat, that our First Lady is so down to earth and caring. Mrs. Obama and your family ROCK…..
so fun! and great pics! did your girls “get it”?? or did they just love the dog??
That is great… and never would have guessed that one, so I guess no winners. LOL
Great photos too.
Oh! Leighann! What an experience and how exciting! The pics are great!!
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas:)
Can I just say “I love you”! You are so real and down to earth.. May you and your family have a very blessed Christmas…
That is great! Now, I know someone that has met the First Lady! What a great picture! I’ll be spreading the news in TN. Merry Christmas!
That is wicked cool.
I am so glad that you were able to meet Mrs. Obama and that she made YOU feel special…because YOU ARE!!!!
Love you,
Linda @ Truthful Tidbits
I check your blog to see how precious Ryan is doing. Boy was I surprised to see you meeting the FLOTUS! That is the coolest thing ever!
Love your blog!
How increadable (sp)! I am very impressed, its not everyday you get to meet the First Lady and take pictures too AMAZING!
I am sorry to hear Ryan had a setback, but I will pray that the PO meds can be figured out soon. It made me giggle hearing that he has big laughs. Sailor is a little selfish with her giggles and oh how we enjoy them when she graces us with them.
Michelle has good taste?!?!?
How cool was that, a once in a life time opportunity, so excited for you all.
you are so cool! How awesome is that, that your kids made the White House photo of the day 🙂
this is such a great story. thank you for sharing such a special moment in your family’s lives. i really do feel blessed to see how God graces you from the littlest to biggest ways. we are blessed to have such a caring First Lady. (I’ve always believed that the women were the ones to carry the men anyway). Merry Christmas, i love the new pic of the family. you are always in my prayers. <3
AHHH!!! NO WAY!!!!! Here I was thinking , maybe a newspaper is coming to do a story on Ryan..No your visitor was much better! How cool is that!!!! Merry Christmas!!!
AMAZING! I would have been speechless! Leighann, you look like you are just about ready to jump up, sing and dance (ala musical style) in the picture with Michelle’s arm around you! I can feel your intensity!
*fka anonymous
Amazing!!!! 😉
MH
Wow! How awesome is that? Thanks for a real look at this women who has had everyone talking. So glad Ryan was picked for a visit and she was so gracious! And that she remembered the girls to pet Bo. I think it is hilarious that Henry literally used the line “I’m with the First Lady.” LOL!
Okay, so obviously I am still thinking about this. I mean, just imagine Michelle’s conversation with her husband at home in bed that night.
M: How was your day honey?
B: It was a tough one. Still working to win support for the health care bill in the Senate. A few top secret NSC meetings today with big decisions on foreign policy. I’m looking forward to the holidays. How was your trip to the children’s hospital?
M: It was sad, but great. I really enjoy meeting the American people. I met this family today who has a baby boy whose heart is literally on the outside of his chest…such a cute family, little blond girls. The mom was so nice describing to me what they have been through. I just can’t imagine being in their situation, but she was so gracious and honest. This country is made up of such great people.
etc, etc. Seriously. Your family could likely have been bedroom chat for the most powerful couple in the entire world. I mean, staggering, isn’t it?