President Barack Obama has yet to complete his first days in office, but he already has made one thing clear: He loves the first lady. The first couple's constant Public Displays of Affection have people across the country fascinated, charmed and even a little jealous of this 21st-century White House marriage. They're quizzed by reporters about their regular date nights. So, will having a publicly affectionate couple in the White House help restore the status of marriage?
State Sen. Bill Hardiman, R-Kentwood, sure hopes so. Learn to improve your relationship and better relate to your spouse with a book recommended by Sen. Hardiman, chairman of Healthy Marriages Grand Rapids, said he has encountered many young people who don't believe in marriage because they don't know of a good marriage. Hardiman has been married to his wife, Clova, for 35 years and often speaks about the importance of strengthening marriages and families.
Every Friday night, Hardiman and his wife have a standing date night with the time blocked out on his calendar. Sometimes scheduling conflicts force them to bump date night to Saturday, but they never skip it. If a talkative constituent spots them dining at a restaurant during their date, Hardiman said he'll politely let them know, "This is my time with Clova.
Although the Obamas have to deal with the romantic challenges posed by life on Pennsylvania Avenue, keeping romance alive isn't always easy on Main Street, either. Date night gets complicated for Brian and Amy Wolthuis, of Holland, who have had to work around the logistics of baby nursing schedules to get time away from their four children, all younger than 7.
They make a point to get out once a month to keep their year marriage on track. This usually involves distributing their children to relatives. The logistics are complicated, but worth the effort. And when they're gone, we'll still have that. On date nights, the Wolthuis' enjoy meals out, trips to the bookstore and quiet time at home. Wolthuis said he likes the fact that Obama is a family man. Joanne Voorhees agrees.
