Barack and Michelle Obama Attend 75th NBA All-Star Game Together, Igniting Buzz

Michelle said their relationship grew from mutual respect, shared humor, and an ease that came from being fully herself, even when that meant being skeptical or teasing, while adding that entering the relationship as peers helped form a lasting foundation.

Dating other people before Barack, she explained, also sharpened her ability to recognize what made their bond different, an experience she believes is crucial for young women learning to trust their instincts.