20 Photos of Barack Obama and Michelle That'll Make You Believe in Soulmates
They will forever be the epitome of #RelationshipGoals.
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Over the last decade, President Barack Obama and the former First Lady taught us a master class on love, parenting, and taking the high road. While they're just mom and dad to daughters Malia, 21, and Sasha, 18, they've doubled as relationship role models to us. After all, there's a reason why their first date ended up on the big screen in the 2016 biographical film, Southside with You. From attending Beyoncé and Jay-Z concerts together to the former president supporting his wife on her recent Becoming book tour, to signing Netflix and Spotify deals, here's every time the Obamas made us believe in the power of love.
It was love at first...kiss.
After dating for three years, the couple officially tied the knot on October 3, 1992. Mrs. Obama revealed during a November 2018 segment on Good Morning America that from the very first kiss, "it was love, and he was my man." On her 55th birthday on January 17, 2019, the former president posted this adorable throwback photo and sweet caption on Instagram: "I knew it way back then and I’m absolutely convinced of it today—you’re one of a kind."
When they're together, it seems like nothing else matters.
On the night he was elected as the first Black president, they embraced at a victory rally in Chicago as if they were the only two people in Grant Park.
They're the first to hit the dance floor.
Here they are swaying to Beyoncé's version of "At Last" at the 2009 Inaugural Ball.
They can't take their eyes off of each other.
Two decades into their marriage, they're still deeply enamored. Or, at least it sure seems like it as evidenced by their date nights in Paris and, of course, their passionate stares.
They don't shy away from PDA.
They're never afraid to hold hands and show affection in public.
Seriously, they'll kiss anywhere.
Even at the annual White House Correspondents' dinner.
Often, their displays are more subtle.
Michelle looks flawless in that Brandon Maxwell dress. Right, Mr. President?
Sometimes, not so subtle?
Even on stage in 2017 to receive an award, the former president can't help but admire his wife.
They make time for each other.
Date night never looked this good.
They've got inside jokes.
Despite their high profile, the couple isn't willing to let that get in the way of having a little fun.
Like many couples, they use pet names.
He calls her "Miche." She reportedly refers to him as "Pumski."
They always have each other's back.
As the Obamas bid farewell to the White House, the two are supportive of each other in the next phase of their journey.
"This guy promised me a life full of adventure. I'd say he's delivered. Here's to our next chapter..." wrote Michelle in a happy anniversary post to Barack.
And they're never not looking out for each other.
Michelle literally brushed the dirt off President Obama's shoulders, as he handed over the presidency in January 2017.
He still brings her flowers.
Mrs. Obama got the surprise of a lifetime when her husband showed up to her first tour stop in Washington, D.C. on November 25, with a beautiful bouquet of pink flowers.
"This is like—you know when Jay-Z comes out during the Beyoncé concert," said Obama, according to CNN. "Like, ‘Crazy in Love’?"
One of his favorite books was written by his wife.
In November 2018, Obama praised Mrs. Obama's new memoir, Becoming, on Instagram.
"Of course, @MichelleObama’s my wife, so I’m a little biased here," he wrote. "But she also happens to be brilliant, funny, wise—one of a kind. This book tells her quintessentially American story. I love it because it faithfully reflects the woman I have loved for so long."
They're not afraid to open up about their marriage.
During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in December 2018, Mrs. Obama admitted that going to couples' counseling strengthened her marriage.
"I was one of those wives who thought, 'I'm taking you to marriage counseling so you can be fixed, Barack Obama.' Because I was like, 'I'm perfect.' I was like, 'Dr. X, please fix him,'" she said. "And then, our counselor looked over at me. I was like, 'What are you looking at? I'm perfect.'"
He admires her. Literally.
President Obama can't get enough of his wife. Here he is taking in her portrait hanging at the Smithsonian. Sometimes, he'll even profess his love on Instagram, writing captions like, "You make every day and every place better.”
Post-presidency they're working together on films.
In April 2019, Michelle and Barack Obama revealed they are working on several new documentary films and series as part of a multi-year deal with Netflix. They even asked Oprah for advice!
Despite their busy schedules, he still sends sweet messages on Valentine's Day.
In February 2019, Mrs. Obama received more than just flowers and a card on Valentine's Day. Obama also openly declared his love for her on Twitter, while acknowledging Mrs. Obama's fondness for the sounds of Motown.
"Happy Valentine’s Day to the extraordinarily smart, beautiful, funny, one and only @MichelleObama," he wrote. "It’s true; she does get down to Motown."
The Obama Presidency may have ended, but their love lives on.
Here they are in October 2019, rounding out the decade with some more PDA. A toast to many more years of pictures of the Obamas madly in love.
Michelle is the Culture & News Writer for OprahMag.com, where she writes about celebrities (she considers herself an expert on Beyoncé and Reese Witherspoon), plus the latest in pop-culture news, binge-worthy TV shows, and movies. The transplanted Southerner turned ambitious New Yorker lives her best life by listening to hip-hop and Pod Save America, watching The Office on repeat, quoting Oprah-isms, eating dessert before dinner, and avoiding avocado. Seriously, she doesn’t get the hype.
It should say, “Michelle is the former Culture & News Writer for Oprahmag.com...”
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