Warning: this might be a little like walking in on your parents. So if you've got some unresolved issues, you'll want to move on to the next blog. Because today, the loviest day of the year, we're going to take a peek at how the final four candidates fell in love (and how they show it now).
GOP Love: John and Cindy McCain
Now, the McCains' love is never on full display. We have to search for the subtle clues. But here's how he describes the night that they met:
From AZ Central.com: She was lovely, intelligent and charming, 17 years my junior but
poised and confident. I monopolized her attention the entire time,
taking care to prevent anyone else from intruding on our conversation.
When it came time to leave the party, I persuaded her to join me for
drinks at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. By the evening's end, I was in
love."
Flashforward 28 years ... Here they are as his campaign surge begins after New Hampshire.
On her blog, the McCain's daughter describes this photo as her mom and dad "having a moment."
John and Cindy McCain in a hotel room (no, not like that. Bummer.)
Southern Love: Janet and Mike Huckabee
From The Knot: It was young love for Mike and Janet, who met during junior high
school. The two started dating their senior year of high school. Before
Mike proposed, he asked permission from Janet's mother and stepfather.
"I didn't have money for a ring yet, so I used a pull-tab from a soda
can and proposed to her in her living room," Mike says.
Mike and Janet Huckabee's wedding day, May 25, 1974.
Must be inauguration day. Huckabee's in his fat phase. More of him for Janet to love?
Puppy love. Or not. Janet and a slimmed down Mike are in the Arkansas governor's mansion. Looky in the background! Governors' names are tiled into the steps. Fancy!
The Most Examined Marriage in National History: Bill and Hillary Clinton
From The Knot: It all began in the library for Hillary and Bill. "I noticed that he
kept looking over at me," Hillary says. "He had been doing a lot of
that." After exchanging several looks back and forth, Hillary stood up
and walked over to Bill. "I said 'If you're going to keep looking at
me, and I'm going to keep looking back, we might as well be introduced
-- I'm Hillary Rodham," she says. "The way Bill tells the story, he
couldn't remember his own name." 
Wedding Day, Oct. 11, 1975
A kiss in Little Rock, Ark., 1992 (From the Telegraph)
He's a former president, she's a new senator. Bill and Hillary in 2001.
Now she's a presidential candidate. And he's, well, sometimes her advocate, sometimes locked away in a closet and told to be quiet. A kiss in the rain, November 2007.
America's Newest Political Sweethearts: Michelle and Barack Obama
It took a month of asking before Michelle would agree to go out with Barack. They went to "Do the Right Thing" on their first date. Then it was love. He swept her off her feet.
Wedding Day, October 18, 1992, at Trinity United Church of Christ in
Chicago.
A snuggle in Illinois (love the camera ... that must feel so private!) For more on Michelle and the Obama marriage, go here and here.
A post 2004 monumental, much talked about, life-changing Democratic National convention speech. (Needless to say, well done, Barack!)
And in 2008 conceding New Hampshire (hey, don't look so sad. Like a good marriage, you're campaign is about to get better ... much, much better)
Related links:
Candidate inspired Valentines
Candidate baby pics
Candidates' kids
Photos: Daily Telegraph, Guardian, GQ, New York Times, hillary.com, Reuters, CNN.com, AP, McCainblogette.com
