Relationships

Happy anniversary to Barack and Michelle Obama who celebrate 26 years of marriage today!

And they still look so in love.

Twenty-six years ago today Barack Obama woke up with a nasty head cold, got out of bed and pushed through his congestion to prepare for his wedding. Later that day he married the love of his life, Michelle Obama, and the pair ended up dancing all night.

Today the happy couple celebrate their 26th wedding anniversary, and the former US President has marked the occasion with a very sweet Instagram post to his treasured wife:

“Happy Anniversary, @MichelleObama. For 26 years, you’ve been an extraordinary partner, someone who can always make me laugh, and my favorite person to see the world with.”

The Obamas first met in 1989 when they were in their twenties, and are known for their incredible love story. Barack had joined the law firm Sidley Austin LLP where Michelle worked and she was assigned to be Barack’s mentor.

“Because I went to Harvard and he went to Harvard, and the firm thought, ‘Oh, we’ll hook these two people up,'” Michelle told ABC News.

Within a month Barack had asked Michelle out on a date and it obviously went well because two years later, in 1991, they got engaged. Barack proposed to Michelle on bended knee in a restaurant after the waiter appeared with dessert and an engagement ring on a tray.

Their wedding followed a year later and then in 1998 they started their family, welcoming their first child, Malia Ann Obama, on July 4, 1998 and their second daughter Natasha Obama on July 10, 2001.

In a memoir that will be released next month Michelle has written about many of the couple’s milestone moments and has shared throwback photos and sneak peeks of what’s to appear in the book on Instagram.

In June Michelle shared a photograph of the couple’s wedding day on Instagram with the caption, “You can’t tell it from this photo, but Barack woke up on our wedding day in October, 1992 with a nasty head cold. Somehow, by the time I met him at the altar, it had miraculously disappeared and we ended up dancing almost all night.

“Twenty five years later, we’re still having fun, while also doing the hard work to build our partnership and support each other as individuals. I can’t imagine going on this wild ride with anybody else.”

The pair has not been shy about expressing their love for one another on social media.

When Michelle turned 54 Barack posted a birthday message that melted the world’s heart.

“You’re not only my wife and the mother of my children, you’re my best friend. I love your strength, your grace, and your determination. And I love you more each day.”

Michelle lovingly responded: “You’re my best friend, biggest fan, and getting notes and flowers from you will never get old.”

For their wedding anniversary last year Michelle posted on Instagram: “Happy 25th anniversary @barackobama. A quarter of a century later, you’re still my best friend & the most extraordinary man I know. I 💕 you.”

Michelle once said of marriage, “Marriage flourishes when the couple works together as a team; when both husband and wife decide that winning together is more important than keeping score. Good marriages don’t just happen. They are a product of hard work.”

Wise words that all marriages would do well to stand by.

Happy anniversary to the happy couple!

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