With dating now involving swiping for matches and feeling express via emoticons, there is nothing more romantic than an old-fashioned handwritten love letter. Especially when said love letters come from the former President and wordsmith, Barack Obama.
Forget any ‘roses are red’ cliches, Obama’s letters to former college girlfriend Alexandra McNear show sincere sentiment, and can’t help but make us love him even more (if that is even possible).
‘I trust you know that I miss you, that my concern for you is as wide as the air, my confidence in you as deep as the sea, my love rich and plentiful,’ one of the early letters reads.
While in another he writes that a relationship ‘requires breaking some sweat. Like a good basketball game. Or a fine dance. Or making love.’
Written between 1982 and 1984 while at college in California, the letters were acquired by Emory University's Rose Library in 2014 but have only now been published. Each signed, ‘Love, Barack’, the letters discuss race, class, money and of course, love.
WATCH NOW: Michelle Obama's Most Powerful Looks
When Obama transferred to Colombia in University in New York the couple were tested as they embarked on keeping their long-distance relationship together in the pre-digital age.
‘I think of you often, though I stay confused about my feelings. It seems we will ever want what we cannot have; that's what binds us; that's what keeps us apart,’ Obama wrote in 1983.
In another he dramatically describes how it sometime felt like it was ‘us against the world.’
‘Alone and facing the swirling expanse, outside the room, inside themselves, separate in the eye of the storm.’
While in another he questions whether they would go the distance.
‘I am not so naive as to believe that a distinct line exists between romantic love and the more quotidian, but perhaps finer bonds of friendship, but I can feel the progression from one to the other (in my mind).’
As we all know, their relationship didn’t last and in 1989 Barack met Michelle working in Chicago and the couple married three years later - the rest they say is history.
Michelle Obama Style - Grazia
1 of 24michelle obama gold versace dress
For her final White House state dinner, Michelle (pictured with Italian first lady Agnese Landini) wore a rose gold sequinned gown by Versace. Talk about going out in style...
2 of 24michelle obama second inauguration ball
Red Jason Wu was the obvious choice for Michelle when it came to Barack's second inauguration ball in 2013
3 of 24michelle obama buckingham palace
A state banquet at Buckingham Palace in 2011 required a show-stopping white gown by Tom Ford.
4 of 24michelle obama inauguration ball
Michelle graced her first inaugural ball in a one-shouldered custom gown by designer of choice Jason Wu.
5 of 24michelle obama phoenix awards
Michelle wore a strapless embellished ballgown by Naeem Khan for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Phoenix Awards in September 2016.
6 of 24michelle obama state dinner
For her first state dinner with the Indian Prime Minister, Michelle wore an embellished gown by Indian-American designer Naeem Khan.
7 of 24michelle obama state dinner
Another state dinner (this time to meet with Justin and Sophie Trudeau) called for another dress by Jason Wu.
8 of 24michelle obama state dinner
The one-shouldered style certainly works for the First Lady. This purple gown, worn for dinner with the president of South Korea, is by Korean-American designer Doo-Ri Chung.
9 of 24michelle obama state dinner
The First Lady doesn't shy away from bold prints for high profile occasions. This dramatic gown, worn in 2011, is by British label Alexander McQueen.
10 of 24michelle obama state dinner
For an official dinner with David and Samantha Cameron, Michelle chose a teal off-the-shoulder style by Marchesa, complete with a dramatic statement necklace.
11 of 24michelle obama state dinner
Naeem Khan - who dreamt up this cream off-the-shoulder number - is another of the First Lady's go-to designers.
12 of 24michelle obama preen dress
Visiting Spain as part of her Let Girls Learn initiative, Michelle wore a ruffled dress by Preen in one of the brand's standout S/S'16 prints.
13 of 24michelle obama brandon maxwell
This stunningly simple white gown was custom made for Mrs. Obama by Lady Gaga's go-to designer, Brandon Maxwell
14 of 24michelle obama BET
Hey Michelle, can we borrow this off-the-shoulder number by Zac Posen, please?
15 of 24michelle obama broadway shine a light on girls
This multi-print dress, worn by Michelle at the Broadway Shines A Light On Girls Education presentation, wolud slot ever so easily into our work wardrobe...
16 of 24michelle obama kennedy centre dress
An off-the-shoulder teal gown by Marchesa was the perfect choice for a Kennedy Center reception in 2013.
17 of 24michelle obama phoenix awards dress 2014
The cross-over neckline of this Bibhu Mohapatra gown is another favourite style detail for the First Lady.
18 of 24michelle obama vera wang black dress
The First Lady looked stunning in this dramatic black fishtail gown by Vera Wang, worn for a state dinner in 2015.
19 of 24michelle obama BET honours
The 2012 BET Honours called for a form-fitting scarlet style by J. Mendel.
20 of 24michelle obama marine barracks evening parade
Michelle paired an eye-catching printed sun-dress with simple gladiator flats for the Marine Barracks evening parade.
21 of 24michelle obama summer dress
Another bold printed number for the First Lady.
22 of 24michelle obama azzedine alaia nobel banquet
'That's an Alaia!' Michelle wore a dazzling ice-blue dress by Azzedine Alaia for the Nobel Banquet.
23 of 24michelle obama state dinner UK
What does one wear for dinner with the Queen? In this case, a stunning black evening gown by Ralph Lauren.
24 of 24michelle obama
She wore a pink embellished gown by Tracey Reese when she attended the Democratic National Convention in 2012.
READ MORE: Barack Obama And Joe Biden: The Bromance Continues
READ MORE: Barack Obama’s Charlottesville Tweet Has Made History