Jill Biden Reveals Why Joe Biden Had to Propose 5 Times Before She Accepted & The Moment She Had a Crisis of Faith

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden is getting candid about her relationship with the President of the United States, Joe Biden.

The 72-year-old educator opened up as the cover star of Women’s Health’s September issue, the Mornings issue, out on newsstands on August 15.

During the interview, Jill Biden opened up about how her strength has been tested and renewed throughout her career, her relationship, what she does every morning and her go-to affirmation to stay motivated during a workout.

Find out what she had to say…

On the influence and impact her mother, Bonny, had on her and her four sisters:

“Our mother was such a good listener. She was my role model. I feel like I got my inner strength from my mother.”

On her relationship with the President—which began in 1975 when she was a senior at the University of Delaware—and what drew her to him:

“I was drawn to his strength. I was drawn to…to what kind of strength was in this man that allowed him to find joy again.”

On President Biden’s courtship of her, and why he had to propose five times before she accepted:

“I had to be sure we were going to make it.”

On packing grilled fish plus vegetables—always in her purple lunch bag—for her midmorning break when she’s teaching at Northern Virginia Community College:

“I like fresh food more than fried cafeteria food, so that’s what I pack.”

On being a self-described expert meal prepper when her kids were young:

“I had to be organized. I would [make] my shopping lists to make sure there were balanced meals with proteins and vegetables. I went through phases, like when I got a pasta machine. The kids just loved it when I made flavored pastas for them.”

On experiencing a crisis of faith, which surprised her, following the unexpected death of her son Beau, in 2015, to brain cancer:

“I didn’t think he was going to die. I just kept praying he was going to live. And then when he did [die], I found I could no longer pray.”

On her regular early-morning workouts, often one of the only things she does entirely for herself:

“I need to be with myself and find inner strength so I can be strong for everyone else.”

On running the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., back in 1998, and recalling how Beau jumped in and ran a few miles of the race with her:

“I was on an endorphin high for three days afterward! I am so glad I have that memory.”

On crediting her strength as an orator to how much she preps, never going in “cold” when presenting to a large crowd:

“I practice, I rehearse, I want it to be really good. Because I care! And when you care, you want it to resonate with people, you want it to matter.”

On why it’s important for women to know that it is crucial to be independent…financially, emotionally, mentally:

“You never know where this life is going to take you.”

On three things she does every morning:

“I look outside and see if the sun’s coming up because I love a sunrise. I love a good cup of coffee. And I certainly love my workout.”

On her go-to affirmation to motivate through a workout:

“I like to say to myself, ‘You can do this.’ And that usually helps. I keep repeating it over and over, and that helps me get through it.”

Joe Biden has released his first statement on son Hunter Biden‘s 4-year-old daughter for the very first time.

Watch part of her Q&A…