The former vice president’s husband once assumed their first meeting would be the last time he ever heard from her. However, he clearly made a lasting impression — one strong enough for her to later share her thoughts about him.
Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff — a teacher — have been married for ten years. Their relationship began with a blind date arranged by the attorney’s best friend.
The couple’s story began in 2013 when she took a leap of faith and agreed to a blind date. Before meeting Doug, Kamala secretly looked him up online — a detail she later revealed during a “CBS Sunday Morning” joint interview in January 2021. This revelation was news to him.
Curiosity led her to discover that Doug was a Los Angeles-based lawyer, while he was already aware of her role as California’s attorney general.
Doug took the initiative, but not without a little help. A friend visiting from out of town accompanied him to a Lakers game, where Doug recounted the blind date setup. His friend urged him to send a message, and together, they crafted the icebreaker, “Hey, it’s Doug. Awkward, I’m texting you.”
Doug’s text set things in motion, and despite being a loyal Golden State Warriors fan, Kamala played along with his Lakers enthusiasm. “And she said, which is funny, ‘Yay, Lakers, go Lakers,'” Doug recalled.
The next morning after their first date he left a voicemail — one that Kamala saved and replays for him on their anniversary. Doug also sent his future wife an email saying, “I really like you.”
“I thought I’d never hear from her again,” he admitted. However, Kamala saw something special in him. “It was adorable. The thing about Doug is that he is exactly who he is, he is fully authentic and clear about the things he cares about,” she shared.
Doug’s worries faded as their connection grew. Less than a year later, while Kamala debated whether to order chicken or shrimp pad Thai during an outing, he surprised her by getting down on one knee. They officially became husband and wife in October 2014.
As the years passed, their bond only deepened. In October 2020, Doug marked Kamala’s birthday with a message on X, reflecting on everything they had built together. “[…] Through it all, no matter what, she is ALWAYS there for me and our family without hesitation. Happy Birthday to my amazing wife @KamalaHarris!” he penned.
Doug continued to celebrate their milestones publicly, marking their tenth wedding anniversary in August 2024 with a post on X. He reflected on the moment they met, calling it love at first sight. “Ten years of marriage, forever to go. Happy anniversary,” he wrote, sharing a montage of their moments together over the years.
As their lives evolved, so did the need to balance their time together. When Kamala served as the 49th vice president of the United States, she and Doug adjusted their schedules to stay connected.
Doug described their relationship as a partnership, emphasizing the importance of planning. Their mornings typically began with a workout, followed by a conversation about managing the days ahead.
This included scheduling time for dinner and handling everyday tasks like laundry and mail — responsibilities that remained constant despite their demanding roles.
Balancing their professional and personal lives remained a priority. At the start and end of each day, they focused on being a couple rather than the vice president and second gentleman.
Mornings were more structured, with quick check-ins before they tackled their schedules. However, evenings, were reserved for personal moments — discussing family and everything beyond the demands of their roles.
Kamala valued the rare times they shared at home in Washington, D.C., calling them essential. She credited Doug’s patience, humor, and easygoing nature for helping them navigate the pressures of their roles.
The politician often refers to her husband as “Dougie” and believes laughter keeps them grounded, especially when dealing with high-stakes decisions. Not taking themselves too seriously, she said, is key. While Doug wasn’t an official adviser, he remained her trusted sounding board and partner.
As Kamala prepared to take office as vice president, Doug made a significant change, stepping away from his law firm in the weeks leading up to the inauguration.
His next steps as the country’s first second gentleman were unclear at the time, but he worked alongside the transition team to support President-elect Joe Biden’s agenda. With over a decade of experience as a corporate lawyer, he had represented major companies, including Merck and Dolarian Capital.
Stepping away from his legal career opened the door to a new opportunity. In December 2020, Georgetown Law announced that Doug would join its faculty in January 2021. “I’ve long wanted to teach and serve the next generation of young lawyers,” he shared. “I couldn’t be more excited to join the Georgetown community.”
Doug’s role at Georgetown Law grew beyond the initial appointment. As of January 2025, he continues to serve as an adjunct professor at the university’s law center in Washington, D.C. Alongside his teaching, he remains active in civic engagement, supporting initiatives that benefit local communities.
Doug’s career isn’t the only part of his life that remains important — family is at the center of it all. While he and Kamala don’t have children together, they share a blended family. He has two children, Ella and Cole, from his previous marriage to film producer Kerstin Emhoff.
Kamala once reflected on the careful approach they took when introducing her to the kids. “So, we took it slow, and Doug and I put a lot of thought into when and how I would first meet the kids. And that meant waiting. As we waited, anticipation grew. When the day finally came, I had butterflies in my stomach,” she recalled in an interview.
They chose a relaxed setting for the introduction — a seafood spot along the Pacific Coast Highway called the Reel Inn, a favorite of the kids.
Cole and Ella welcomed Kamala with open arms. She described them as brilliant, talented, and funny, adding that they had grown into remarkable adults. While she was already devoted to Doug, she admitted, “I believe it was Cole and Ella who reeled me in.”
Kamala’s bond with Cole and Ella naturally extended to their mother, Kerstin. She admired her role as a parent, saying, “To know Cole and Ella is to know that their mother Kerstin is an incredible mother.”
The two quickly became close, often cheering together at Ella’s swim meets and basketball games — much to Ella’s embarrassment. Kamala even joked that their blended family was almost too functional.
When she and Doug married, she, Cole, and Ella decided that stepmom didn’t feel right. Instead, they came up with a more personal title: “Momala.” For Kamala, the title is more than just a nickname. “It’s the name the kids gave me, and I wear it proudly,” she said.
Nothing brings Kamala more joy than being surrounded by family, especially when she is cooking for them. She finds the most happiness when different generations come together.
During a wedding weekend in 2023, her young nieces ran into her room early in the morning, jumped into bed, and spent time laughing and talking — while Doug was already up with his coffee.
Online users shared their admiration for the couple’s relationship. One expressed their well-wishes, “May the force of love be with you.” Another commented, “What an elegant couple.” Someone else added, “Cherish one another, and God continue to bless this union until eternity.”
Kamala Harris and Doug share a relationship rooted in partnership, humor, and a strong dedication to family. What began as a blind date evolved into a life in the public eye, where they have faced every challenge side by side while maintaining a deep connection.
