I never posted this so...

Stolen from my own Facebook...so not really stolen.

When I write my autobiography, there is going to be an entire chapter on the 2008 election. Why? Because it's the first time I've ever felt truly proud of the United States of America.

I like to refer to ours as a jaded generation. We were all born under Bush I. Then, we got eight years of glorious prosperity under Clinton. Most of us were still young in 2001, when George W. Bush, hereby referred to as Bush II or "that dunce that ruined our country," took office. As we matured and became politically aware, we watched as our country was run into the ground. Those who were supposed to have the best interest of the citizens at heart seemed not to care at all. I thought, "Like father, like son; one term and he's done," but I was wrong. Kerry was not elected. And the woes just got worse.

While watching the 2004 Democratic National Convention with my mother, I was introduced to Senator Barack Obama. I turned to my mother, in tears from his speech, and simply stated, "Mark my words, he will one day be president."

When now President Elect Obama announced his candidacy, I was ecstatic. At 13, I had known he would one day run, but I had never dreamed it would be so soon. I immediately announced my support: Barack or Bust in 2008!

I sat through the primaries as my boy fought a vicious battle against Senator Hillary Clinton. When he clenched the nomination, I knew it was all just beginning. He would have to face Senator John McCain, a tough competitor. But I had faith in our country.

There were times when that faith was tested, such as the nation's brief but disgusting love affair with Sarah Palin, but we held strong. Tonight, it was tested again, when Kentucky was the first state to go red. But as I watched the map color itself blue, my hope grew.

Tonight, for the first time since 1996, Our country has elected the right man for office. I have never felt prouder of the American people in my life, than when I heard, "Obama is the projected winner." My eyes welled with tears. This was it. Yes we could. Yes we could. Yes we could and YES WE DID!

His acceptance speech was gorgeous. And I can't believe I've just witnessed this. It feels like a dream. I am so happy that our country made the right choice. We chose change. We chose freedom and democracy. We chose to speak out against a government that has done us so much wrong in the past. I've never known what it was like to cry tears of true genuine happiness. I'm on an adrenaline high right now. I can't even explain it. It's so unreal. We have truly made the steps toward progress that we have always been trying to make.

This campaign has been so inspirational for me. And I have never been more sure that I want to help people. I want to be involved in politics for the rest of my life. I want to live this feeling over and over again for the rest of my life.

Thank you, President Elect Barack Obama. For inspiring a generation to speak out. For inspiring me to find my purpose. For making a nation call for their voices to be heard. For proving to us that there is hope; that our children can live better lives than we did. For letting us know that the American dream, though corrupted, still exists and is still going strong. For showing us that politicians don't have to be dishonest people; they can be loyal and honest and open, just like any other person.

Thank you, President Elect Barack Obama, for everything. Thank you, everyone who made your voice for change heard. And thank you, Senator McCain for a campaign well-run; the fight was fun. Now, it is time to come together as a nation. United we stand. Let us stand together on the brink of our new world. It's our time.