This Might Have Been The Most Difficult Day Of President Obama's Life

President Barack Obama attended his daughter Malia's high school graduation on Friday wearing dark sunglasses -- something he said he would do to hide his tears.

Malia graduated from the Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C., and will take a gap year before attending Harvard starting in fall 2017 . In January, Obama said he declined an invitation to speak at the graduation because he knew he would be too emotional .

“Malia’s school asked if I wanted to speak at commencement and I said no,” Obama said at the time. "I’m going to be wearing dark glasses ... and I’m going to cry.”

Indeed, Obama kept his word about wearing shades on Friday. 

Following the ceremony, the first family had lunch at Café Milano in Washington's Georgetown neighborhood to celebrate the milestone.

Obama said that during the college search, he told his daughter to focus less on choosing a "name-brand, famous, fancy school" and more on choosing one that was right for her.

The Obamas are also planning on staying in Washington for another few years after his presidency ends until their younger daughter, Sasha, finishes high school.