Michelle Obama Glamour Magazine December 2009

First Lady Michelle Obama covers the December issue of Glamour magazine, available Nov. 10.

Glamour is honoring Michelle Obama with a Special Recognition award for her commitment to mentoring young women. Mrs. Obama opens up to Katie Couric in the magazine about her role models, her style and dealing with critics and offers dating advice for young women.

On her personal style and dealing with critics:"People are always going to have opinions, and people have a right to their opinions, particularly when you're the First Lady; you're representing the nation. So I can't be surprised that people are interested. But I've tried to be at peace with the choices that I make first, and then be open to everyone else's reflection."

On keeping her sanity: "I have always tried to put my kids first, and then.put myself a really close second, as opposed to fifth or seventh. One thing that I've learned from male role models is that they don't hesitate to invest in themselves."

On her role models: "My mom, for sure. My dad. The teachers. For me, role-modeling was immediate, it was touchable.Children connect with who is in their lives, present and accounted for.That's why we're trying to encourage moms, teachers, fathers, to be that presence in their children's lives, in their communities, because it really makes a difference."

On dating advice for women: "Cute's good. But cute only lasts for so long, and then it's, Who are you as a person? Don't look at the bankbook or the title. Look at the heart. Look at the soul.. When you're dating a man, you should always feel good.. You shouldn't be in a relationship with somebody who doesn't make you completely happy and make you feel whole."