Living in the hook up culture that is today, it becomes easy to lose faith in love. Dates turn into "Netflix & Chill" while relationships form into a phase that is so called "talking." Some of us are lucky enough to find their person with little to no effort, while most are stuck on a never ending cycle of deleting and re-downloading Tinder. There has been a loss of mutual respect within relationships today. Portrayals of unhealthy relationships are seen all around us, setting a negative example onto the youth. However, there is one power couple that has not let us down, and that couple is Barack and Michelle Obama. They withhold the utmost respect and dignity for each other, and we should be taking notes on how the President and the First Lady treat each other.
The Obama's show their pride for each other. In Barack's farewell speech, he addressed Michelle by stating:
“Michelle LaVaughn Robinson of the South Side, for the past twenty-five years, you've been not only my wife and mother of my children, but my best friend. You took on a role you didn't ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humor. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. You've made me proud. You've made the country proud."
This melted the hearts of Americans everywhere, but this is not the first occasion when Barack has recognized Michelle’s outstanding qualities as his wife. In fact, the power couple shows their pride in each other constantly. They are always building their partner up on whatever occasion they can. Highlighting the other’s accomplishments is a way to build a better relationship. It shows the other person you are seeing what they are doing fantastically, even if it is mundane. People often neglect to show their partner that they care about what they are doing in their daily lives. Not communicating builds a barrier between the two. Acknowledging your girlfriends, or boyfriend’s good grade on their test provides them confidence. They’ll show more confidence within themselves, and within your relationship.
Another way to build your partners confidence is compliments. Not only do the Obama’s show how proud they are, but they shower each other with compliments as well. During an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Michelle compliments Barack’s walk: “Watching my husband walk off of Marine One and go to the Oval Office, it’s like, mmm, mmm, mmm.” Compliments can keep the relationship interesting, and makes the other person happy. Instead of focusing on yourself, focus on the little things about your partner, whether it is their walk, or the way they look when they first wake up tell them how you think. The Obama’s have demonstrated this over the course of the past eight years.
The Obama's also have shown that it is okay to joke around with each other. They are playful and are not afraid to laugh. They still show each other the child within. The Obama’s know how to have fun, and not to take everything so seriously. They are best friends. Barack stated these kind words on Michelle "She's also funny. She's the funniest person in our family.” Barack and Michelle do not just treat each other as partners. This is honestly key with any relationship. Open up, and let the other person see you for who you really are.
With President Barack Obama leaving office in the coming weeks, it has been a nostalgic time for the country. Barack broke barriers, and created a new path for Americans. Disregarding whether or not you were a fan of Obama's presidential actions, there is one thing that we can all agree on. Barack's and Michelle's marriage is flourishing, and has been since they stepped on the campaign stage. The Obama's have portrayed marriage, and relationships in a positive light. They encourage, and challenge each other. The Obama's are showing the world what true love is, and there is a lot we can learn from their marriage.
