Michelle Obama Told Then-Colleague Barack They Couldn’t Date at First Because It Was ‘Too Cliché’

**Michelle Obama Reflects on First Meeting with Barack at Historical Event**

At a recent event celebrating the United States’ 250th anniversary, former First Lady Michelle Obama opened up about her initial reluctance to pursue a romantic relationship with her husband, former President Barack Obama. The pair met while working at the Chicago law firm Sidley Austin in 1989. Michelle shared her thoughts during a discussion with historian Doris Kearns Goodwin at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia.

“I wasn’t going to date him at first, because I thought it would be tacky for the two Black folks from Harvard to fall in love,” Michelle said, recounting her hesitations. Her sentiments were met with laughter as she explained how she perceived the potential relationship as a cliché. However, Barack encouraged her to disregard such concerns, famously replying, “Screw them.”

The couple’s origins trace back to their time at Sidley Austin, where Michelle Robinson was a first-year associate and Barack was a summer associate. Michelle recalled their first meeting, highlighting how Barack arrived late due to what he claimed was bad weather. “I thought, ‘You’re trifling,’” she joked, admitting her initial scepticism. She had read his résumé and considered him a promising candidate, albeit one with an unconventional upbringing—growing up in Hawaii with a single mother.

Despite her initial apprehensions, Michelle described how she was pleasantly surprised by Barack’s charisma and intelligence upon getting to know him during their lunch break. “He was funny, and he was humble and he was wicked smart,” she recalled. The fact that both shared similar values and beliefs ultimately drew them together.

As the summer progressed, the two young lawyers began to forge a romantic bond. Their first official date took place at the Art Institute in downtown Chicago, followed by a viewing of Spike Lee’s film *Do the Right Thing*. One of their most memorable moments was their first kiss outside a Baskin-Robbins in Hyde Park, which Barack fondly described in a 2007 article for Oprah Magazine.

By the end of that summer, Barack made a pivotal statement: “Let’s get serious about life.” This marked the beginning of their relationship, leading to a transformative journey for both of them. Reflecting on those early days, Michelle noted that her time with Barack challenged her to reconsider her life’s purpose.

In her narrative, Michelle expressed the doubts she faced regarding her career in law. “Did I really have this journey to spend it working on the 47th floor of a law firm, looking over at the community that made me?” she contemplated. As she became more involved with Barack’s vision and ideals, she made the decision to leave her position, viewing him as a guiding figure: “He was a swerver, and so together we started swerving,” she said.

Following her departure from the law firm, Michelle built a noteworthy career in public service. She took on roles as an assistant to former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and later as an executive in nonprofit organisations. In addition, she stepped back from her role at the University of Chicago Medical Center in 2008 to fully support Barack’s initial presidential campaign—a choice she later described as both painful and necessary in her acclaimed memoir, *Becoming*.

The event at the Kimmel Center featured not only the Obamas but also other prominent political figures, including former Presidents Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. This gathering aimed to reflect on the historical significance of the nation’s past while discussing the future trajectory.

Michelle and Barack Obama’s personal story is not just a tale of romance but also a powerful narrative of shared values, mutual support, and commitment to community service. Their journey serves as an inspiring example of how love can influence personal and professional paths, prompting individuals to align their career choices with their deeper aspirations and values.