I Believe

I didn’t know how much a woman running for president meant to me until it happened.

I voted for Obama in 2008. I campaigned for Obama. I made calls for Obama. I made a poster for Obama that was part of the 2008 Design for Obama project. And I was proud of Obama. I liked Hillary Clinton, but I was excited about Obama’s candidacy.

I started out this primary season being very intrigued by Bernie. He said so much I agreed with. He felt different, more authentic. His supporters were so passionate.

I discovered my own passion much later. And I was so moved last night, watching the woman bursting through virtual glass made up of all the presidents. A video introduced by a girl on fire.

I won’t laugh at the Sanders supporters anymore. I saw so many people sharing pictures and videos of their tears, treating them like spoiled children melting down in the grocery store because Mom won’t buy popsicles.

But I understand. You believed. You saw in your candidate a moment that touched your heart. You heard him promise to lead our country into a more just and more loving future. And you believed.

The world would be a better place if more people believed that change is possible. And I believe Sanders when he says that he wants to do the best we can for every American.

And I believe my heart, when it saw a woman being nominated for the Democratic ticket for the first time in history, and tears I didn’t know I had streamed down my cheeks. Because I can finally tell my daughter that she could grow up to be president. And I don’t feel like I’m lying anymore.