Do I Look Like Michelle Obama?

August 29, 2008 • Posted in Beth Finke, blindness, Uncategorized by

It’s weird, not being able to see myself in a mirror. Instead of dwelling on things I can’t do, though, I try to take advantage. Brush my teeth, comb my hair, wash my face. Smile, and assume I look like I did when I was in my twenties.

But then, every once in a while, a comment throws me off for a while. Yesterday I got an email from my dear friend Steve:

you’re probably tired of hearing this, but every time I see Michelle Obama, which is a lot lately, there’s something about her face that makes me think of you. Which makes me like her even more.

Ironically, shortly before receiving that note, I’d been talking to a woman in the locker room where I swim.

“Have you seen Barrack Obama?” she asked. I couldn’t’ know for sure, but from the sound of her voice, this woman was older. And African-American. I started to tell her yes, that I’d seen Barrack Obama in Chicago when he was promoting his Audacity of Hope book. But for some reason, Right before opening my mouth, I realized: she wanted to know if I’d ever seen Barrack Obama. So I told her no, that I’d been blind almost 25 years.

“He’s cute!” she said.

“Does he have a nice smile?” I asked. I can often tell — from the sound of a voice — that someone has a big smile.

“MM-hmmm,” she nodded. With a big smile on her face, of course.

And then I asked about Michelle Obama. I knew two things about her looks. For one, I’d heard on the radio that Michelle Obama is tall.

I’m tall, too.

For two, after Michelle Obama’s speech Monday night, I overheard a guy at our local tavern say, “Well, that Michelle Obama proved one thing: if you’re a woman, and you’re a Democrat, you can still wear a dress.”

I like wearing dresses, too.

“What did she do, did she go to school at Princeton or something like that?” the woman in the locker room asked me. “She looks like a school teacher. Or a librarian.”

“You mean she looks serious?” I asked.

“She looks smart,” the woman answered.

Note to my friend Steve: I’ll never get tired of being told I look like Michelle Obama.

Marilee On August 29, 2008 at 10:27 pm

Do you look like Michelle Obama? First of all your tan is not nearly close enough. I believe she is a bit younger. Her hair is totally different-she has black straight to the chin bob. I am going to guess that Steve saw the smile, height, confidence, intelligence and engaging speaker that she is and thought of you!

Beth On August 30, 2008 at 12:18 am

Wow, what a nice comment — you really think I have the smile, height, confidence and intelligence of Michelle Obama? And that I am even *close* to being as engaging a speaker as she is?!
Well then. I’ll work on my tan!

Laurie On August 30, 2008 at 10:19 pm

Now that you mention it, your facial structure and smile are similar to Michelle Obama’s. Also, the way you lean forward and really engage when you’re having a conversation is similar. You can tell she’s a good listener, like you.

Beth On August 31, 2008 at 2:48 am

Aw, shucks. Thanks! It’s good to think that Michelle Obama is a good listener — evry President needs a good listener he can trust.

BB On September 3, 2008 at 12:12 am

I gotta tell ya—despite all this talk about your looking like Michelle Obama, I still think you look like Lindsay Davenport, the tennis star. Truly, I don’t see the Michelle connection, but if it’s more about attitude and demeanor than looks, then okay, Michelle it is.

As far as your being a good listener, I miss you for that. In that realm, you are in a class by yourself.

BB

Beth On September 3, 2008 at 2:38 pm

Kind of ironic to think that any resemblance to Michelle Obama is based on attitude and demeanor – when you can’t see, those are the qualities you use to judge people!

Cheryl On September 3, 2008 at 8:32 pm

I think Steve must have seen you in your “Lana Turner” dress and Flo earrings, because that is an outfit that Michelle would look great in.

Beth On September 3, 2008 at 8:39 pm

Ah, I love that Lana Turner dress. AND those Flo earrings. Let’s hope for more award ceremonies in the future so i’ll have an excuse to wear them!

Gretchen On September 3, 2008 at 10:20 pm

I couldn’t pass up a note here after reading your post on Gus. Yes, I completely get how you look like Michelle. It is all about the jawline–strong in an attractive way. But even more than that, it is how you lean in to listen and tilt your head. The tallness factor too makes you similar too, though I think she is even taller than you. Maybe if Michelle had a dog like Hanni.

Beth On September 4, 2008 at 10:33 am

More than one person has mentioned how I “lean” when I listen. Who knew?!

RB-Indy On October 27, 2008 at 1:19 pm

Oh God no! Believe me, that is a good thing. Michelle Obama always has a “ticked off” expression on her face, even when she is smiling. It’s something about her eyebrows. Every time I see her, I feel myself cringing like a little child about to be scolded by his/her mother.

Beth On October 27, 2008 at 7:42 pm

Yikes! Your comment reminds me: I better make an appointment to get my eyebrows waxed again. I’m afraid I can furrow with the best of them…!

Michelle & Me « Safe & Sound blog On January 26, 2009 at 11:45 pm

[…] I look like (what was then) the future First Lady. The blog post I wrote about that — titled Do I Look Like Michelle Obama? — garnered many, many replies. Most comments said no. Some weren’t sure what to say […]

My Appearance on Oprah « Safe & Sound blog On March 24, 2009 at 5:02 pm

[…] Hmmm. I like to wear sleeveless shirts and dresses. Could that be just one more reason people think I look like Michelle Obama?!??!! […]

lolade25 On September 29, 2009 at 3:38 am

People tell me that I look like Michele Obama

Beth On September 29, 2009 at 10:35 am

If only she needed a lookalike, we could be flying to Copenhagen with her right now –she is on her way there to do one last “push” to the Olympic Committee, encouraging them to choose her native Chicago for the 2016 venue…

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