it was one year ago this week that president obama was inaugurated for the second time.  the thrill i felt in seeing him in person (though from afar) reminded me of the very first time i had this pleasure:  in december of 2007, then-senator obama stopped by seattle’s sodo neighborhood during the democratic primary for president.  i was then a sophomore in college, and my father, hoping to engage his children in the political process, bought four tickets for the family to attend.

the rest is history: i changed my major to political science, volunteered for his campaign, and set out for a career in politics.  this is my favorite picture of that pivotal night.