Election Day Marks Bushes' 25th Anniversary
Nov. 5, 2002 -- Not only is it Election Day today — it's also the silver anniversary for America's first couple: George and Laura Bush.
After 25 years of marriage, the first couple looks forward to life at the ranch and grandchildren.
A Love Affair Begins
Though both Laura and George W. Bush attended 7th grade at Midland Middle School in Midland, Texas, they never shared a word.
Later on, they lived in the same Houston apartment complex for more than a year, but never even met. Five years later, friends matched them up on a blind date at a barbecue. Less than three months after that date, they were married.
A few years later, the Bush family doubled in size. Their twins, Jenna and Barbara Bush, are now 20 years old, and in college.
Laura was at her husband's side as he learned the family business of politics. Together they got a rough start, when less than a year after they married, Bush made a failed run for Congress.
The couple said they learned a lot about each other in that very short period of time.
"I did learn the hard way," she said in a 1999 interview with Good Morning America's Diane Saywer. She recalled an incident early in her husband's political career.
"This was years ago when George was running for Congress," she said. "I criticized his speech just as he was driving in the driveway, and he just kept going and drove into the garage wall."
The marriage survived, and now the couple joke about it.
"It was a heck of a speech," he said about the incident.
Sharing a Dry Humor, Love of Prairie
Friends say that the dry humor is always there, and that George and Laura Bush really are soul mates. Even as he was running for the White House, the couple built their dream house, on the Texas prairie that they both love.
During a tour with Good Morning America's Claire Shipman last year, the president pointed out some of the highlights of life on the ranch.
"This is where Laura and I will live after the presidency, and it's where we'll have our grandkids come and visit us some day," he said on GMA.
He and Laura enjoy sitting outside on the porch, and eating dinner there, he said.
"I take great delight in being outside. I find peace of mind here," he said, at the ranch. "I get into a pickup truck and drive, and watch the deer or try to find turkey. Laura and I, love to just sit out and visit," Bush said. "Some of our best talks have been during our early morning walks or sitting on our porch just watching the sun go down."