Genevieve Ahearne was a friend of President Obama’s during his time in New York City. The two met in 1983: Obama had recently graduated from Columbia University, and Ahearne was attending Bank Street College of Education, working towards a Masters in early childhood education. The two met at a Christmas party, and through conversation, realized that they had the shared experience of living in Indonesia as children in the 1960s. Ahearne and Obama began to date shortly after, and maintained their relationship until 1985, when Obama moved to Chicago to work as a community organizer.