Using the bully pulpit of celebrity and good looks, the Obamas led by example when they flew home to Chicago and went out on a Valentine's Day date at a Gold Coast restaurant run by Oprah's former personal chef. Paparazzi and ordinary daters snapped away as the couple tried to get a little us time.
While I am disappointed that the Obama's don't seem to have stopped once to pose, even a little, for their admirers (you can see the stolen peeks at the Chicago Tribune's slideshow), I still think they are great role models for parents of young children everywhere. The lesson is: don't neglect date night!
My partner and I have a weekly date night we protect with concrete walls. Nothing stops us on Sunday evening. (I recommend Sunday, as there's less fighting of Saturday-night-sized crowds). They all say it. Neglect your marriage and it falls apart under the pressure of parenting small children. It isn't always a big romantic event, but catching our breath and talking to each other without interruption is critical to the health of our grown up relationship and therefore, fundamental to our whole family. If the Obamas can find the time in their busy schedule (no doubt they toasted the passing of the stimulus bill at long last!) so can you.
Do you have a date night? What's your usual routine?
