Michelle Obama [1] celebrates her 51st birthday this weekend, and she's showing no signs of slowing down. The quintessentially modern first lady has gone all in for the causes she cares about, including military families, childhood obesity, and college education for low-income Americans. Through her own life and decisions, she's set an example of what it means to be a determined professional, mother of two, and supportive wife in a love-filled marriage. Michelle's down-to-earth style and demeanor are refreshing for many Americans who look to their public figures for inspiration, regardless of political persuasion. In honor of her birthday, we're counting down 50 reasons to love and appreciate the FLOTUS!

1. She's so glamorous, she presented at the Oscars [2].
2. She copped to a midlife crisis [3], admitting: "I couldn't get a sports car. They won't let me bungee jump. So instead, I cut my bangs."
3. She hosts doggy playdates [4].
4. She gives her daughters real advice [5]: "Just don't dance on the table."
5. She got Baskin-Robbins ice cream with Barack on the first couple's first date [6].
6. She forgot their first anniversary [7].
7. According to the president, she influences his fashion sense for the better. Barack Obama told Vogue [8] in 2013: "Michelle's like Beyoncé in that song. Let me upgrade ya!' She upgraded me."
8. And she's buddies with Beyoncé [9].



Source: Getty [10]
9. She was still paying off her student loans [11] 10 years ago.
10. She can deliver a speech [12] as well as her husband.
11. She's not afraid of PDA [13].



Source: Getty [14]
12. She and Barack have a sweet White House bedroom tradition [15].
13. She rocked not one but two Jason Wu dresses at the inaugural balls [16] and made his career.
    
    Source: Getty [17]
14. She's a huge supporter of American designers in general, including Tracy Reese and Narciso Rodriguez.
15. She was nominated for a Grammy [18], thanks to her audio book.
16. She has family dinners almost every night [19] at 6:30.
17. She has a great outlook on relationships [20]: "If you find that person that you love and you want to get married and you want to have kids, great. If you don't, I don't want you to be that person that spends a lifetime with someone that they don't love, because they think they should. That's one of those liberating things for women. You got to embrace whoever you're going to be."
18. She's honest about her background [21]. She said: "When I went to school, being smart in a public school was dangerous. Truly. 'You talk like a white girl.' Or 'Who do you think you are with grades?' That's how we grew up. You had to sort of be sneaky-smart. "
19. She's got moves like Jagger.
20. And her favorite dance move [22] is the Dougie.
21. She knows the best things in life are free [23]: "Our life before moving to Washington was filled with simple joys. Saturdays at soccer games, Sundays at Grandma's house."
22. She can get Katy Perry and Usher to perform for military kids [24].
23. She encourages Americans to give back [25].
24. She gets along well with past first ladies [26] like Laura and Barbara Bush.
25. She brings her fashion A-game to state dinners [27].
26. She's inspired countless women to work out their arms [28].



Source: White House [29]
27. She has great dating advice [30]: "choose someone who will make you better."
28. She can hang with the queen [31].
29. And Kate Middleton [32].
30. And Prince Harry [33].



Source: Getty [34]
31. She learned to box as a kid.
32. Her brother calls her "Miche."
33. She brought her mom to live with her [35] at the White House.
34. She was the first person to share the O magazine cover [36] with Oprah.
35. She makes care packages [37] for the troops.



Source: Getty [38]
36. She shows off her cool factor, making appearances on shows like 106 & Park [39].
37. She produced her own hip-hop album [40] to encourage healthy lifestyles among young people.
38. She hosts a pretty epic trick-or-treat party at the White House [41].
39. She's an expert at Instagram [42] selfies and #tbt.



Source: Instagram user Michelle Obama [43]
40. She represents the US well on overseas trips [44].
41. She took on a heckler [45], having none of it.
42. She gives out hugs and kisses when she makes commencement speeches [46].
43. She would cast Will Smith to play Barack in a movie [47], since he's "got those ears."
44. She planted an awesome White House garden [48].
45. She's a "mom" to two adorable dogs.



Source: Instagram user Michelle Obama [49]
46. Before the White House, she grew up in a one-bedroom apartment and shared the living room with her brother as their bedroom.
47. She doesn't wear tights, because they're "too painful," according to the book Michelle Obama: First Lady of Hope [50].
48. She's one smart woman, going to Princeton for undergrad and Harvard for law school.
49. She cheers on her brother, who is the basketball coach at Oregon State University.
50. She made Barack promise to quite smoking.