Obama Reveals Anniversary Plans For Today

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Barack Obama would like one simple thing for his 16th wedding anniversary _ a quiet date with his wife.

It's unlikely, given that the Democratic presidential candidate doesn't go anywhere without drawing attention these days. He's putting his campaign on hold Friday night to fly back to Chicago and take his wife, Michelle, out to an Italian restaurant.

"I've got this whole romantic dinner planned," Obama told a rally in Grand Rapids. "I think it should go pretty well. That's my hope any ways. I've got a gift all picked out."

The campaign has kept the couple apart for much of the last two years. Even on Thursday when both were campaigning in Michigan, they were in different parts of the state and didn't plan to see each other.

Obama told reporters aboard his campaign plane that he never forgets their anniversary, after it slipped his wife's mind their first year. Asked for his thoughts on how to maintain a marriage for 16 years, he suggested a sense of humor, listening and "never get so mad that you forget why you love them."

"You know what you guys could give us for our anniversary?" he said, turning to the television reporters. "Not have a camera pool outside of the restaurant, so that everybody knows that we're there."

Related: The Obamas' Greatest PDA Moments (SLIDESHOW)

Comments

[kmac23va]

As long as Obama remembers it's his 16th anniversary...and if he does, he better send Keith Olbermann a thank you note!

[iswideopen]

Happy 16th anniversary Barack and Michelle!!!! We love you both!!!!!!!!!!

[peacegurl48]

I just donated my $16.00.

[lindaisaiah]

Me too! Again Happy Anniversary Barack and Michelle!

God's blessings in you two and your children lives!

[realtalk]

Obama has class and is a real man.
Meanwhile, McCain offers his wife to a group of bikers at Miss Buffalo Chip........

[Liberalforsure]

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[realtalk]

Obama has class and is a real man.
Meanwhile, McCain offers his wife to a group of bikers at Miss Buffalo Chip.......

[RaineyDay5]

They are such a great couple! I love how Barack looks at her. **note to self... send $16 tomorrow**

[dzymzlzy]

Great idea! I'm in!

[MadOzbo]

Me TOO!
Every time I look at pictures of Barack and Michelle, they make me involuntarily smile. They just look "in Love." Even after all these years, they STILL look at each other that way, and they don't care if the cameras see it or not.

I'll GLADLY contribute $16 just for good wishes to them as a couple.
If I'm lucky enough, my contribution will be able to help them be happy and loving for the next 8 years in Washington...

Obama-Biden '08

[jackinhack]

Congratulations. The two of you are such a great example of a loving caring couple and parents. You don't talk about family values. You live them.

Have a great date.

[Shieldmaiden]

Awww. They are too sweet. Happy anniversary you two.

[HoneyBQuick]

Happy anniversary, Mr. President and First Lady...

[ricitizen]

I am passing this on from another post. It will make you even more proud of this country.

Andrew Sullivan writes and posts this amazing video. Please watch: A pretty amazing speech by the AFL-CIO's Richard Trumka. To see a white union man take on racism this way is very moving.

Something truly profound could be happening in this election. This could be the most important speech of this election year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QIGJTHdH50

[phae100]

Wow, that's a really powerful speech. Its great that white people are starting to speak out about the unnacceptablity of racism to other white people. That's what's been missing.

[MadOzbo]

And THAT is a change that has been a LONG time coming.

Isn't it THRILLING to see what we once regarded as the "Old-Guard" of powerful people who would "look the other way," NOW publicly and LOUDLY standing up to say, "Color doesn't matter?"

Regardless everything else our Nation is facing, to finally be overcoming that horrid barrier to America's true destiny of being a "melting pot," makes this a very exciting and hopeful time.

And it all started with that man's simple one word...HOPE.
Hope has evolved to Change we can Believe in.
And that belief has evolved to become the Change we NEED.

Obama. What a truly historic man, no matter HOW this election turns out.
I still HOPE that he is our next President...

[pineapplegal]

wow....wow, wow - everyone should be watching this....beautiful!

[MadOzbo]

That had to be one of the best speeches I have heard in a very long time. Every word rang true, without seeming forced, or condescending. THANK you for that link. It made my day.

[BruceHNV]

OMG - EXACTLY what is needed!

An angry WHITE man standing up for justice and equality! Welcome back, America. We have missed you.

[lindaisaiah]

I pray one of the major media picks this up! you know this was so awesome that we need to make sure this country get to hear this being said. talking about that big "elephant in the room" needs to definitely identified as Mr. Trumka is exposing and more of us need to follow suit!!!

[yannb]

If O gets elected, he will have the very distinct privilege of being the only US president to have wed after I was born.

[mam]

seriously, how cute is that picture?

[MYQUEEN7]

Happy Anniversary to the next President and First Lady of the United States of America.

God Bless Michelle and Barack Obama.

[mercuryguy]

"never get so mad that you forget why you love them." - Obama

I wish I was so thoughtful about marriage, I filed for a divorce, but midway in the divorce we reconciled and now we are trying to make it work together.

[dct1999]

Good luck.

[EvangelicalEmpathy]

I wish you the best. Good job for giving it a second chance. God Bless you.

[CallMeNAG]

They are too cute. I get all giddy thinking about them in the White House.

[dzymzlzy]

Camelot II ~ finishing the unfinished business of Camelot I.