Photos: Michelle Obama Stops By The Tattered Cover In An Emotional Experience For Many

<p>Hart Van Denburg/CPR News</p>
<p>Former first lady Michelle Obama met folks and signed copies of her new memoir “Becoming” at the Tattered Cover Bookstore on Colfax Avenue in Denver Thursday Dec. 13, 2018. The line stretched up from the lower level of the store all the up and around the main floor of the bookseller.</p>

Former first lady Michelle Obama arrived in Denver on Thursday with a packed schedule.

After a surprise visit with Santa Claus at the Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora in the morning and ahead of a sold-out conversation with Reese Witherspoon at the Pepsi Center in the evening, Obama stopped at the Tattered Cover Bookstore on Colfax Avenue to sign copies of her memoir, "Becoming."

The line of attendees wrapped around the building. It was an emotional experience, and many left their meet and greet with Obama in tears.

"I..I don't even have words," Melissa Stringfellow said. "It was an absolute once in a lifetime experience and I'm just so grateful I was able to have this opportunity. She said I was gonna make her cry by me crying."

The event had special significance to many of the attendees who were long-time Obama supporters, including Kelly Walker.

"The first time I saw her on the news as the new first woman, I thought to myself, 'Oh my gosh the first lady looks just like me,'" Walker said.