How to Build a Relationship Like Barack and Michelle Obama

Lately, all the world seems to be buzzing Obama. Whatever your opinion of the new United States President's policies, there is one point that cannot be argued: the man loves his wife. Make that two points: his wife loves him too. Barack and Michelle Obama's respect and affection for one another is palpable. While there are no guarantees on what the next four years will bring, we can be near certain that we will have many opportunities to witness the interactions of a loving, connected, highly functional couple. May these tips help you infuse a little Obama spirit into your marriage.

Instructions

1. When in public, speak about your partner in positive terms. Never put down, roll your eyes at or make fun of your sweetheart in front of others, even if it's "just a joke."

2. Keep arguments behind closed doors. Solve disagreements together privately, not in front of an audience.

3. Stop. Look. Listen. When your partner speaks, give him or her your undivided attention. Fully absorb what your partner says before responding. Try not to interrupt as your sweetheart talks.

4. Touch often, kiss often, smile often--even more often than you think you should.

5. Remember how you met. It rarely fails: ask a couple to share the story of how they first met and they immediately appear to light up. You can see this excitement in both Barack's and Michelle's faces when they tell how they first met while working at a law firm. Keep your focus on the qualities that drew you to your partner in the first place--as opposed to the qualities that drive you crazy now that you have been together for years.

6. Get a kick out of your differences. You and your partner needn't be alike in every way or agree on everything in order to be strongly connected. Take joy in the fact that your partner approaches life differently than you do. Spend your energy being thankful for what your partner can teach you--as opposed to trying to change him or her to be exactly like you.

7. Present a united front. Once you've come to a joint decision--whether that means saving more money or setting a boundary with your child--faithfully hold up to your end of the bargain.

8. Make romantic time together a regular priority. Write it on the calendar if you must, and stick to the date.

9. Ignore public opinion. When Barack and Michelle Obama bumped their fists together in a show of excitement when he won the Democratic nomination for President, some people thought it was totally sweet and others thought it was completely lame. Ultimately, it doesn't matter what the masses think of what you do in your relationship, as long as it works for you.