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title: Watch Barack Obama Surprise Michelle With Anniversary Video
description: “It is truly the best decision that I ever made to be persistent enough in asking you out for a date”
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article:published_time: 2017-10-04T03:05:43.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-04-13T07:47:45.340Z
og:title: Watch Barack Obama&#x27;s Sweet Anniversary Tribute to Michelle
og:description: He made the former First Lady blush
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twitter:description: He made the former First Lady blush
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# 'The Best Decision I Ever Made.' Watch Barack Obama's Surprise Anniversary Video for Michelle

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by 

[Tierney McAfee / PEOPLE](https://time.com/author/people/)


## Tierney McAfee / PEOPLE


Contributor

Oct 4, 2017 3:05 AM UTC

![Pennsylvania Conference For Women 2017](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt68b77a6c7a572b2e/6988e079929fad3e72bedf13/gettyimages-857172594.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

Michelle Obama speaks during Pennsylvania Conference For Women 2017 in Philadelphia, Oct. 3, 2017.

Michelle Obama speaks during Pennsylvania Conference For Women 2017 in Philadelphia, Oct. 3, 2017. Marla Aufmuth—Getty Images for Pennsylvania Conference for Women

by 

[Tierney McAfee / PEOPLE](https://time.com/author/people/)


## Tierney McAfee / PEOPLE


Contributor

Oct 4, 2017 3:05 AM UTC

[Barack Obama](http://people.com/tag/barack-obama/) sure knows how to make a grand gesture.

The former president sent wife [Michelle Obama](http://people.com/tag/michelle-obama/) a sweet video message on their [25th wedding anniversary](http://time.com/4967027/michelle-obama-25-anniversary/) on Tuesday, surprising her during her talk with [Shonda Rhimes](http://people.com/tag/shonda-rhimes/) at the Pennsylvania Conference for Women in Philadelphia.

Appearing on a big screen, Obama first apologized for “crashing” the conference before launching into a loving tribute that brought tears to his wife’s eyes — and color to her cheeks.

“I had to crash this party because today we have been married for 25 years,” Obama said. “The idea that you would put up with me for a quarter of a century is a remarkable testament to what a saintly, wonderful, patient person you are.”

“It was a lot easier for me to do it,” he added with a smile, “because the fact of the matter is that not only have you been an extraordinary partner, not only have you been a great friend, somebody who could always make me laugh, somebody who would always make sure that I was following what I thought was right, but you have also been an example to our daughters and to the entire country.”

The former first lady teared up as her husband praised her “strength, grace, determination and honesty.”

“It’s no wonder that as people got to know you the way that I got to know you, they fell in love,” he added.

The former president also said he appreciated “the fact that you look so good” doing all of this.

“It is truly the best decision that I ever made to be persistent enough in asking you out for a date,” he said.

Mrs. Obama was blushing by the time her husband concluded the lengthy tribute.

She turned to Rhimes and the crowd and joked: “I better get home.”


The former president later posted his video on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/barackobama/videos/10155303917731749/), captioning it: “Asking you to go out with me is the best decision I ever made. I love you, Michelle.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Mrs. Obama sent her husband and “best friend” a [happy anniversary message](http://people.com/politics/michelle-obama-barack-obama-25th-anniversary-instagram/) on Instagram, sharing a photo from their Chicago wedding on Oct. 3, 1992.

“Happy 25th anniversary [@barackobama](https://www.instagram.com/barackobama/),” she wrote alongside the shot. “A quarter of a century later, you’re still my best friend & the most extraordinary man I know. I (heart) you.”

_This_ [_article_](http://people.com/politics/barack-obama-michelle-25th-wedding-anniversary-tribute-conference/) _originally appeared on_ [_People.com_](http://people.com)_._

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