Girl asks Obama for 'friendly' advice, gets W.H. invite

SANFORD, Maine — When a young girl has a personal problem and wants advice, you might assume she'd ask a friend or her mother.

But 9-year-old Katie Osmer decided instead to write a letter to President Obama.

Katie sent a letter to the White House asking the president's advice for making friends. Katie admits she can be shy, and she wanted help meeting new people at her school, St. Thomas in Sanford.

"I know this might sound silly, but do you know how to make a friend?" Katie wrote to President Obama. "I'm in the third grade, and I'm not having much luck with making a friend. Love, Katherine Rose Osmer."

Katie said she decided to ask Obama because he travels a lot, and must have to be friends with people he works with.

Weeks went by, and Katie started to wonder if she would ever get a reply. Imagine her excitement when her mother told her the White House had a special invitation for her.

"I was shocked," said Katie.

A White House staffer sent the Osmer's an invitation to the White House Easter Egg Roll over Easter weekend. The family will get to participate in the event, and might be able to receive a personal tour of the White House.

As much as the family is looking forward to the trip, Katie's mother says seeing the change in her daughter has been the best part about the experience.

"She's much happier, she's started to be more outgoing," said Michelle Osmer, Katie's mother. "The fact that she's joining clubs is amazing and something she might not have done last year."

Katie says she has joined three clubs at school, and has made two best friends.

Her advice to other kids?

"Just try to be confident and just kind of go and say, 'Do you want to be my friend?' And then try to find stuff that you have in common."