At the Democratic National Convention, Douglas Emhoff, husband of Kamala Harris, shared a heartwarming account of their first meeting and his steadfast support for her bid for the presidency. Emhoff, who is affectionately known as the Second Gentleman, captivated the audience with his personal story about meeting Harris on a blind date in 2013.
Emhoff, a 59-year-old attorney, recounted how a business meeting led to an unexpected connection. After a successful resolution of a client issue, the client offered to set him up on a blind date, which led to him getting Harris's phone number.
"I walked into a challenging client meeting in 2013. By the end of it, the client offered to set me up on a blind date, and that’s how I ended up with Kamala Harris's number," Emhoff shared.
He humorously described his awkward initial voicemail, which Harris, also 59, now plays for him every year on their anniversary. Emhoff had called at an unconventional hour, leaving a rambling message that has since become a cherished memory.
Despite their busy schedules, the two managed to connect over a phone call that lasted an hour and was filled with laughter. Emhoff fondly recalled this conversation as a potential first date moment, even though their official first date involved him telling Harris to "buckle up" due to his less-than-stellar driving skills.
Emhoff praised Harris as a "joyful warrior" and a loving stepmother to his children from a previous marriage. He noted that Harris, despite her demanding career, has always prioritized their family.
"Our family dynamic has its complexities, but once they started calling her 'Momala,' I knew everything would be alright," Emhoff said.
With Harris set to accept the Democratic presidential nomination this Thursday, which coincides with their 10th wedding anniversary, Emhoff humorously anticipated hearing that memorable voicemail once again. He expressed his belief that Harris is uniquely qualified to lead the nation at this crucial time.
Raised in a Jewish family in New Jersey, Emhoff shared that he and Harris, who has Indian and African heritage, blend their cultural traditions by attending both synagogue and church together.
Harris, who has made history as the first Indian-American and the first woman of color to be nominated as a presidential candidate by a major U.S. political party, will officially accept the nomination on Thursday. She will face Republican candidate Donald Trump in the November 5 election.
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