The Bush sisters wrote this touching letter to Sasha and Malia Obama

The daughters of George W Bush have written an open letter to Sasha and Malia Obama as they prepare to leave the White House.

President Barack Obama's time in office ends on 20 January.

In the letter, Jenna Bush-Hager and Barbara Bush say they will be "rooting" for the Obama sisters in their "next chapter".

They also lived in the White House for eight years, 2001 to 2009, and moved on to university and jobs.

Malia (R) will start a degree at Harvard University later this year

Here's the letter in full, published in Time Magazine

"Malia and Sasha, eight years ago on a cold November day, we greeted you on the steps of the White House. We saw both the light and wariness in your eyes as you gazed at your new home.

"We left our jobs in Baltimore and New York early and travelled to Washington to show you around. To show you the Lincoln bedroom, and the bedrooms that were once ours, to introduce you to all the people—the florists, the grounds-keepers and the butlers—who dedicate themselves to making this historic house a home.

"The four of us wandered the majestic halls of the house you had no choice but to move in to. When you slid down the banister of the solarium, just as we had done as eight-year-olds and again as 20-year-olds chasing our youth, your joy and laughter were contagious.

After leaving the White House Barbara (L) founded a non-profit health foundation, and Jenna is a journalist and author

"In eight years, you have done so much. Seen so much.

"You stood at the gates of the Robben Island cell where South Africa's Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for decades, your arms around your father.

"You travelled to Liberia and Morocco with your mom to talk with girls about the importance of education - girls who saw themselves in you, saw themselves in your parents, saw who they could become if they continued to study and learn.

Malia was 10 years old and Sasha was seven when Barack Obama took office in 2009

"You attended state dinners, hiked in national parks, met international leaders and managed to laugh at your dad's jokes during the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon, all while being kids, attending school and making friends.

"We have watched you grow from girls to impressive young women with grace and ease.

"And through it all you had each other. Just like we did.

"Now you are about to join another rarified club, one of former First Children - a position you didn't seek and one with no guidelines.

Sasha missed President Obama's farewell speech on Tuesday because she was revising for an exam

"But you have so much to look forward to. You will be writing the story of your lives, beyond the shadow of your famous parents, yet you will always carry with you the experiences of the past eight years.

"Never forget the wonderful people who work at the White House. Our greeter as seven-year-olds at our grandfather's inauguration was Nancy, the White House florist, who ushered us in from the cold.

"She helped us make colourful bouquets of winter flowers for our grandparents' bedside. Twenty years later, Nancy did the flowers for Jenna's wedding. Cherish your own Nancy.

Handing out food to homeless people in Chicago in 2008

"We stay in touch with our secret service. They were part of growing up for us: there for first dates, first days and even an engagement and a honeymoon.

"We know it wasn't always easy - the two of you and the two of us were teenagers trailed by men in backpacks—but they put their lives on hold for us.

"Enjoy college. As most of the world knows, we did. And you won't have the weight of the world on your young shoulders anymore. Explore your passions. Learn who you are. Make mistakes - you are allowed to.

"Continue to surround yourself with loyal friends who know you, adore you and will fiercely protect you. Those who judge you don't love you, and their voices shouldn't hold weight. Rather, it's your own hearts that matter.

Being the president's daughter isn't always fun

"Take all that you have seen, the people you have met, the lessons you have learned, and let that help guide you in making positive change. We have no doubt you will.

"Travelling with our parents taught us more than any class could. It opened our eyes to new people as well as new cultures and ideas.

"We met factory workers in Michigan, teachers in California, doctors healing people on the Burmese border, kids who lined the dusty streets of Kampala to see the American president, and kids with HIV waiting to get the antiretroviral drugs that would save their lives.

The girls visited 10 Downing Street with Michelle last year to promote her Let Girls Learn campaign

"One tiny girl wearing her finest lavender dress looked young, which she was not.

"She was little because she was sick. Her mom admitted that she might not live to see these drugs work, but her brothers and sisters would. After meeting this girl, Barbara went back to school and changed her major, and her life's path.

"You have lived through the unbelievable pressure of the White House. You have listened to harsh criticism of your parents by people who had never even met them.

"You stood by as your precious parents were reduced to headlines. Your parents, who put 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."

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