It's hard to imagine that anybody couldn't have a soft spot in their heart for Ellen DeGeneres. She's hilarious, honest, and such a good natured person. I respect that she has faced tremendous adversity, and love her because she feels so loveably awkward, human, and genuine unlike the posh polish of most celebrities.
How many celebrities do you know have invited Michelle Obama to a dance-off?
This year, at age 58, Ellen was one of 21 recipients honored by President Barack Obama with the Medal of Freedom on November 22, 2016. She was chosen because of her advocacy of LGBTQ rights, her bravery, and her decades of bringing us joy.
Of course, in true Ellen fashion, first there was a near-disaster involving a forgotten ID left at home that almost got her denied entry to the White House. But fortunately she still made it in time.
The White House aide announced her with: "In a career spanning three decades, Ellen DeGeneres has lifted our spirits and brought joy to our lives as a stand-up comic, actor and television star. At a pivotal moment, her courage and candor helped change the hearts and minds of millions of Americans, accelerating our nation's constant drive toward equality and acceptance for all. Ellen DeGeneres has showed us that a single individual can make the world a more fun, more open, more loving place, so long as we just keep swimming."
Obama added a few words of his own about her courage in coming out 20 years ago, not just for the LGBT community, but for all of us. And in a humorous turn, as everyone began to get choked up, he reminded us of one of our favourite Ellen quotes: "We all want a tortilla chip that can support the weight of guacamole."
Fair warning, as he brought her up, hugged her and went to tie the medal around her neck, Ellen started to tear up. And we're not talking dainty lady cry here. No, we're talking prelude to a full-on happy ugly cry, with red eyes and everything.
Nope, the tears are going to come. Let them fall and do some happy ugly cry with me here. SOMEONE PASS THE TISSUES. We're going to need them. A lot of them.
We love you Ellen and all the things that you do to bring us together. "One joke, one dance at a time."
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