Eight Years Ago...

Eight years ago (tomorrow), I stood out on the National Mall, freezing my butt off in the D.C. cold. I was 14 years old, had a mouth full of braces, and had no clue how to style my bangs.  Typical high school freshman.  But there I stood, just one in over a million, from one Washington to another.

A few years leading up to 2009, I had been attending leadership conferences, most of them on the east coast.  I would travel by myself, be put in discussion groups with strangers, go on excursions, and by the end of the conference, I would come away with new friends, skills, and experiences.  And one year, through these conferences, I was invited to a new conference in Washington D.C. and would be able to attend the inauguration of the 44th President.

I distinctly remember thinking at the beginning of the day that I didn’t need to layer up that day. I had on jeans, a t-shirt, and a sweatshirt, I was going to be fine.  I honestly don't know what I was thinking.  But at the last minute, I ran back into my hotel, sprinting to my room, and grabbed a jacket.  An hour later, I was standing on the National Mall, thankful for my extra layer and the hand warmers I had shoved into my gloves.  I had an American flag in hand and I was surrounded by people waiting to see (or hear, if you were far back like I was) Barack Obama be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America.

I remember walking up to the National Mall and seeing so many people.  I had never seen that many people in my entire life.  My new friends and I were trying to figure out where we wanted to stand and wandered around a bit before there was a definite shift in the environment as the ceremony began.

The energy was electric in the crowd.  Everybody was excited and joyous, and we were all sharing in that moment, in that day, together.  American flags were flying for as far as my eyes could see.  People were laughing, were singing, genuinely enjoying the experience. My friends and I were all huddled together, taking pictures of and with each other, waving our flags along with everyone else.

Even far back, I could tell whenever something important happened or was said.  The crowd would cheer louder, not even minding that they weren’t in view of all the action.  We were all together and that was a powerful feeling.

I can’t even properly put into words how lucky I feel to have had the opportunity to be in the presence of history being made.  I know that it was an amazing opportunity and I don’t take that for granted.  I can look back on that moment in my life and remember from that experience.  Sometimes I can't really believe that I was present when the first black President was sworn in and history was made. 

Over the last eight years, there have been plenty of highs and lows for our country. Beyond all the politics and the complex inner workings of how the government does their thing, I think Obama has showed class and resilience.  He’s been a voice for many, constantly fighting for equality and protection for the American people.  I am unbelievably grateful for the opportunity to attend his first inauguration and proud that voting for him for his second term was my first legal vote after I turned 18 years old.  

I have been so proud to call Barack Obama my President and I will miss him.