President Barack and first lady Michelle Obama seem to epitomize everything that is right and positive about relationships, marriage and family, and yet, according to a new book titled Renegade, even they went through a serious rough patch that almost ended the relationship.Author Richard Wolffe says that in 2000, between the births of Malia and Sasha, the Obamas went through a period when they weren’t doing date nights, like their recent theater outing, or even talking very much for that matter.
According to Wolffe, Michelle was “angry at his selfishness and careerism; he thought she was cold and ungrateful.”
Wolffe goes on to write that, “She hated the failed race for Congress in 2000, and their marriage was strained by the time their youngest daughter, Sasha, was born.”
Earth-shattering revelation? Not really. In some ways this news makes the Obamas even more endearing. It says the Obamas are truly “just like us” even in this respect. With today’s increasing pressures of dual careers, child-rearing and economic issues, what couple hasn’t gone through a dry spell or two? At least they stuck it out and continued on, and that’s the ultimate lesson for many too-quick-to-call-it-quits couples.
Years later, after then-Sen. Obama launched his presidential campaign, Michelle said, “We’re going to be fine. We just have to make sure the girls are fine. We’re strong enough to take anything on and be OK at the end.”
Here’s to that. –sly
