Let Me Upgrade You: Michelle Obama Says President Obama Was 'A Bum'
Most of us like to keep it cute when shedding a light on the history of our relationships. When discussing the beautiful beginnings, we excitedly dig through the archives to relive the firsts: the first time you two met, the kiss, the date. But what some of us fail to do is remove the fluff about those firsts. We don’t want to mention that our husband was unemployed at the time he wooed us. Or that he wasn’t the best dresser and he needed a bit of upgrading. Sometimes, who we end up with, isn’t who we met at the start of it all, but fortunately for us and our significant others, we can see through the poor style choices, financial situations or attitudes that might have turned our faces the other way. Thank goodness for the power of potential.
Just ask the First Lady of the United States.
In a special appearance on talk show, The Real, Michelle Obama was asked about her early beginnings with Barack, before the bling and the babies. Dishing the truth about who got better grades in, Mrs. Obama took all the credit before letting it be known that her husband would tell anyone the same thing. But it was a brief story FLOTUS would later share that not only backed her claims up, but had audience members and the co-hosts cracking up in the East Room of the White House.
“I mean, he will say it, it's not even close. Barack fooled around in high school. He's said it, he didn't take school seriously in high school, he barely got his work done – he was a bum. And it took him a second because, you know, he had to grow up a little bit. Now, he went to college, he went away right away, but it wasn't until his second year, he transferred from Occidental to Columbia College and he was like, ‘I gotta make something of my life. I gotta get it together.’”
Now POTUS wasn’t the kind of bum you’re probably thinking of and would label. No good, do nothing, sit in the house all day-kind of dude–nah, not Barack. FLOTUS has often spoke on her past with the former senator of Illinois and their rocky start. In 2012 she said,
“...He was still the guy who’d pick me up for our dates in a care that was so rusted out, I could actually see the pavement going by in a hole in the passenger side door. He was the guy whose proudest possesion was a coffee tablel he found in a dumpster, and who’s only pair of decent shoes was half a size too small.”
Related: 10 Lessons Barack And Michelle Obama Taught Us About Love
But through all of that, she’s always said she was more attracted to who he was as a person and it was his personality that helped reel him closer to her heart.
“What truly made me fall in love with Barack Obama was his character. You hear me? It was his character. It was his decency, his honesty, his compassion and conviction.”
Something Michelle may not have gotten to known since she was the type to separate business and personal and was reluctant to date Barack. After working at the Chicago branch of Sidley Austin as a first year attorney, the future FLOTUS became an advisor to Barack, who proceeded to ask her out on dates. He was curved on several occasions, but the Harvard grad must have repeatedly chanted his notable “Yes we can” slogan to himself as a mantra because he surely didn’t give up. Several attempts later and Barack successfully landed a couple of dates and ultimately, Michelle’s hand in marriage after three years of dating.
Related: Watch: A First Look at Tika Sumpter as a Young Michelle Obama In ‘Southside With You’
When they wed back in ‘92, Michelle said of their vows “Barack didn’t pledge riches, only a life that would be interesting. On that promise, he delivered.” It's been nearly 24 years since they said “I do” and Michelle has been Barack’s right hand, rocking with him every step of the away–riding around in beat up cars, to the Senate, to turning the White House black.
As he couple prepares to make their exit out of the White House, they leave behind history as the first ever African-American first family, but it won’t be the last time we see the inspiring couple. There’s a film being made in honor of their love story titled Southside with You, featuring Tika Sumpter playing Michelle and Parker Sawyers as President Obama.
Not too bad for a former bum turned one of the biggest presidents in American history.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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How A Stay At Switzerland's Luxurious 7132 Hotel Reminded Me To Live The Life I Deserve
Sometimes, as women—especially as single Black women—we simply need to be reminded that we are deserving of living a life we dream of. Even if that means creating it for ourselves. I recently set out on a weeklong trip to Switzerland, a trip I’ve been wanting to take for years, and near the end of my visit, I had an epiphany.
“DeAnna, this is the life you deserve,” I thought to myself as I took in the gorgeous bathroom in my suite at the famous 7132 Hotel and Thermal Spa. It was one of the most luxurious hotels (and bathrooms) I had ever stayed in—and that’s saying a lot for someone who often travels for work.
To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
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I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
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That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
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So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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