Talk About a Once-in-a-Lifetime Moment!

What began as a simple family photo session beneath Washington, D.C.’s iconic cherry blossoms quickly turned into a storybook encounter that one local family will never forget. According to NBC News, Portia Moore and her family were posing for pictures along the picturesque Tidal Basin when none other than former President Barack Obama casually walked into the background — completely by chance.

Moore, a D.C. resident, had planned the shoot to capture her two young children, Belle and Preston, during the height of cherry blossom season — a beloved annual event that draws thousands of visitors to the nation’s capital each spring. As her photographer, Briana Inell, snapped away, Moore was focused entirely on keeping her energetic toddler safe near the water’s edge.

“Of course, I’m paying attention to my son, making sure he doesn’t run into the water — he’s only 20 months old,” Moore recalled with a laugh during her interview with NBC News. “Then my husband suddenly says, ‘That’s Obama!’ And I just thought, ‘Yeah, right. I’m watching Preston right now.’ I didn’t realize he actually meant President Obama.”

It wasn’t until the camera clicked for the final time that the family pieced together what had just happened. When Moore turned to confirm what her husband was saying, he repeated excitedly, “That’s Obama!” The family quickly gathered around the photographer’s camera, scrolling through the images to see if they had captured the surreal moment.

“I was like, ‘Well, did we get a picture?!’” Moore said. “We looked back — and there he was! The 44th President of the United States, just strolling behind us like it was the most normal thing in the world.”

Sure enough, there stood Barack Obama, relaxed and smiling in a casual baseball cap, enjoying a walk by the Tidal Basin during the cherry blossoms’ peak bloom — a scene almost too good to be true. The former president appeared completely at ease, blending in among the other D.C. locals soaking in the spring scenery. “Usually, I edit out tourists from my clients’ photos,” photographer Briana Inell told The Washington Post, “but this is definitely the one photo I won’t be editing anyone out of!”

When Moore later shared the heartwarming photo on social media, the post quickly went viral, amassing thousands of likes and shares within hours. The story caught the attention of major outlets like People Magazine and CBS News, who called it “the most wholesome photobomb of the year.”

Then came an even more surreal twist: Obama himself saw the image and responded online. “Preston and Belle, I hope you enjoyed peak bloom! My bad for stepping into the shot,” Obama wrote on social media, showing his signature wit and warmth that endeared him to millions.

For the Moores, it was the cherry on top of a picture-perfect day. “Look who strolled by in our family cherry blossom photo shoot! This story is one to remember, and the picture is a family heirloom — literally,” Moore posted. “We didn’t bother him, of course. He was clearly enjoying a peaceful walk. But what an epic, core memory for our entire family.”

The photo — equal parts ordinary and extraordinary — perfectly captures the serendipity of life in D.C., where even a quiet spring morning can turn into a brush with history. And as Moore told NBC News, “It’s a reminder that sometimes the most magical moments happen when you’re not even looking for them.”