The Obama's: A symbol for hope in family values and marriage

In the era we live in, we are seeing a steady decline in family and marital values, its all around us, from celebrities such as Brad Pitt who have been married numerous times, to books and television depicting a family broken by divorce. We see it in our neighborhoods, friends who have all been victims of divorce, living with mom or dad at one point in time, and transitioning between the two. Family doesn't seem to be holding strong, as teenagers we want to stray away from family and live a life with friends and peers. But what's more saddening is that today in our world most of my generation does not believe in love. After seeing our parents, and knowing of the increase in divorce we no longer feel the need to want to get married and have kids of our own.

Does love still exist? In a country where politicians such as John Edward cheat on their bedridden wives, and celebrities abuse each other it doesn't seem possible. But there's one family in the midst of this era who are rising above the challenges of life and setting an example for a family that can have both stability and a husband and wife who still love each other dearly. The first family, composed of Mr. and Mrs. Obama and their two children plus little dog have showed the United States that it is possible to save family values. In a recent article from The New York Times 1 titled "If They Can Find Time for Date Night ..." Obama finds time for his wife for a night on the town including dinner and a broadway show, how sweet is that? The article is complied mostly of different people who are awe struck, jealous and mystified at this act of love.

It doesn't seem possible, our Commander in Chief who has to deal with a daily schedule of conflicts and plane rides all over the world giving speeches such as the one in France (in honor of D-Day), that he would have time each day for "Michelle time." But when we do see it, we are given hope that maybe one day Obama and his family's example will strike a chord in the lives of everyday Americans who will strive to make their marriages better.