President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Freedom to Vice President Joe Biden on January 12, 2017. (Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images)

“That’s enough. Don’t want to embarrass the guy,” President Barack Obama told a cheering crowd at the beginning of a tribute to Vice President Joe Biden, before going on to deeply praise an ‘‘extraordinary man with an extraordinary career in public service” and surprise him with the country’s highest civilian honor.

“He was the best possible choice, not just for me but for the American people,” Obama said in a heartfelt speech, before bringing Biden to tears and bestowing on him the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction. “He has been a lion of American history.”

Obama extended his praise to Biden’s wide family (including a shout-out to Jill Biden, “only the first second lady to keep her day job”), and touched on just about every colorful Joe Biden meme and moment. “This also gives the Internet one last chance to talk about our bromance,” the president said.

“For your faith in your fellow Americans, for your love of country and for your lifetime of service that will endure through the generations, I’d like to ask the military aide to join us on stage. For my final time as President, I am pleased to award our nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom,” Obama announced as a visibly shocked Biden turned around and reached for a tissue.

“I had no inkling,” Biden said in off-the-cuff remarks. “I thought we were coming over … to toast one another and say what an incredible journey it’s been.”