## Forget Roses, Michelle and Barack Built Their Marriage on Laughter: The “Playful Deal” That Kept Their Love Strong
Michelle Obama’s candidness about marriage has always resonated with readers. Now, she’s offering a glimpse into the secret sauce behind her enduring love with Barack: a playful deal struck early on.
Reflecting on the Challenges of Marriage
In a recent appearance on Steven Bartlett’s The Diary of a-CEO podcast, the former First Lady opened up about the challenges she and her husband have faced, just like any other couple. Michelle reflected on the difficulties they’ve encountered, including infertility and trying to have kids, which made things even more difficult. However, she emphasized that they worked through it, and her message to others is not to give up, as marriage is hard.
“There are so many natural reasons why marriage, infertility [and] trying to have kids makes things difficult,” Michelle said. “I try to tell couples, ‘Of course, it’s hard. Just listen to what I said, like, if you’re having some issues in your marriage, it’s not you. It’s the process of marriage. It’s just all hard.’”
She added, “I just see people quitting because they look at me and Barack and go, ‘Hashtag couple goals.’ I’m like, ‘It’s hard for us too, but I wouldn’t trade it.’ He is, as the young people say, my person.”
From Skepticism to Support
Michelle’s brother Craig Thought Their Relationship Would Only Last a Few Weeks
Michelle’s brother Craig Robinson thought their relationship would only last a few weeks. However, Craig took Barack to play basketball to gauge his character, and was surprised by the outcome.
“Mich starts to date Barack, and we don’t know who this guy is,” Robinson said, referring to his sister by her nickname. “We’re just like, ‘Barack? Who’s got a name like Barack?’”
Robinson said he then took Barack to play a game of pickup basketball, leaning into his father Fraser’s advice that one could learn much about a person from how they played the game. (Robinson is a former head college basketball coach, and the former president is a longtime player and lover of the game.)
“Obviously we had a great time playing,” Robinson said. “This is what I learned, aside from the fact that he’s left-handed so he couldn’t go right at all—most importantly, he’s a team player. He fit in with the people.”
Addressing his sister, he said, “So I was about to report back to you everything was fine—and the rest was history.”
Addressing Rumors and Stereotypes
Michelle Addresses Divorce Rumors and Expectations
Michelle recently addressed rumors that her marriage was in trouble on Sophia Bush’s Work in Progress podcast—rumors that began swirling after Michelle missed several high-profile events with her husband earlier this year.
“That’s the thing that we as women struggle with—disappointing people,” Michelle said. “I mean, so much so that this year people couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself. That they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing. This couldn’t be a grown woman just making a set of decisions herself, right? But that’s what society does to us.”
She added, “We start actually, finally going, ‘What am I doing? Who am I doing this for?’ And if it doesn’t fit into the sort of stereotype of what people think we should do, then it gets labeled as something negative and horrible.”
Michelle also spoke about doing what she wants to do post-life in the White House, saying, “If not now, when? What am I waiting for? How am I going to spend 20 years? Now is the time for me to start asking myself these hard questions of, ‘Who do I truly want to be every day?’”
Conclusion
In conclusion, Michelle Obama’s revelation about the playful deal she and Barack made early on in their marriage serves as a beacon of hope for couples navigating the complexities of married life. By establishing a foundation of mutual respect, trust, Michelle and Barack were able to cultivate a strong and enduring bond, one that has withstood the tests of time and public scrutiny. The significance of this deal lies in its simplicity, yet profound impact on their relationship. By prioritizing communication, empathy, and playfulness, they created a blueprint for a healthy and fulfilling marriage.
The implications of this topic are far-reaching, as it highlights the importance of couples investing in their relationships, rather than taking them for granted. In an era where divorce rates are on the increase, Michelle and Barack’s story serves as a timely reminder of the importance of nurturing love and affection. As we look to the future, it is imperative that we prioritize building strong, resilient relationships, ones that can weather the storms of adversity.
Ultimately, Michelle Obama’s playful marriage deal is a testament to the transformative power of love and relationships. As we reflect on the Obamas’ remarkable journey, we are reminded that marriage is a journey, not a destination. It requires effort, commitment, and a willingness to grow and evolve together. As Michelle so eloquently puts it, “You can’t just sit there and think, ‘Okay, I’m good.'” In the end, it is the little deals, the small gestures of love and affection, that make all the difference.