Marriage role models

Hmm this is tough. My Mom is a saint for being married to my Dad for over 40 years now! She is the nicest person I know who does everything for him (and everyone else) and he is so negative and grumpy. She won't go on vacations without him because of his health problems. Her love for him is so strong although it takes away from her personality. I don't think I could have her strength, but I try to be strong!

I really like FH's Dad and step-Mom's relationship. His Dad re-married FH's birth mother three times to try and make it work. They finally broke off for good and he has been with the stepmom for 20 years now. They are a great couple who understand each other. They are also opposites, and I like the way they handle tough situations.

I'm with Celia. I have always said I love how the Obamas are with each other. I am also with Janeen. I have learned from others around me what NOT to put up with. My parents are divorced and my in-laws have been together for 35 years but their marriage just seems like they are still together just because. But by watching them I am learning a lot.

Like FMP, my parents have been together for a long time (33 years), but there are honestly things I wouldn't put up with and would at least want counseling if they happened. FH's parents are both divorced and remarried recently. I'd say my strongest influence has been both sets of my grandparents for different reasons. My maternal grandparents, my grandfather died when I was 9, but I know how hard they worked together to provide for their family. They were truly a team. My paternal grandparents, my grandfather would do anything to make my grandmother happy.

Since I met FH, his grandparents have been a wonderful example, too. They've been married 70 years, and even though neither of them can really hear each other talk, the love between them is so evident.

My in-laws. Unlike a lot of couples back in their time they actually waited until they were in their late 20s to get married and their early 30s to have kids. My MIL got her master's degree while she was pregnant with H. I really admire them for having their own lives and not being one of those co-dependent couples (like my parents!). They are a couple we can really emulate.

Are people really romanticizing relationships of public figures they know nothing about?

Lordy.

My parents - they have been married 46 years. They have a romantic/fairytale story IMO. My dad was a "bad boy" and my mother was a Catholic school girl...think 50's & 60's stereotypes. My dad had tattoos, smoke, drank, high school drop out, etc. My mom refused to date him if he didn't go back to school, so he went to night school (because he was working to help my Grandma) just to get a date with my mom! They had relationship drama, breaking up, getting back together and my Grandma (mom's mother) didn't like my dad so she did a lot to keep them apart...to no avail.

Unlike many young couples that got married before the husband was shipped off to fight in a war (in my parent's case, Viet Nam) my parents waited until my dad came home. They had a long wait to get married, and the wedding was 3 days after my dad returned from Viet Nam.

I know they have had their share of tough times (financial, medical, etc.) but they have always faced them together. They are amazing and loving parents, and I couldn't ask for a better marriage role model!

Yeah I feel like the Obama's have such a great outward look for their marriage, but let's be real...looking like they have the best marriage is a HUGE part of the presidency. It's part of the job. We have no idea what it looks like behind closed doors.

My parents. They've been together for 34 years and are still so genuinely happy together. They love travelling together, hanging out with friends, spending time with family etc. and always just seem to enjoy each other's company. I've seen them argue maybe five times in my whole life - they are actually just a perfect match.