Is anyone else feeling a mix of sadness and elation today? I'm American and I've never felt so proud to be an American. It's surreal in a way that I feel like I'm living in some sort of alternate universe that's somehow better than the one we were in two years ago.

It's surreal to feel like I'm seeing my country for the first time in years, as if the fog has lifted. It almost feels like if we're in some alternate reality that we weren't in two years ago. I feel like I'm seeing our country for the first time in so long.<br><br>I've been binging the Obama podcasts with Bruce Springsteen and I feel like it's really helped me feel like I'm getting out of the fog.<br><br>I feel a combination of sadness and elation. I feel like years of our lives have been wasted on what felt like a nightmare. I'm a parent to a young child, and the fact that our country is in a place where we're getting a woman of color Vice President feels amazing for my daughter. I feel like we're living in a moment of history. I'm not sure how to feel. I feel hope that we're going to get out of this mess, but I'm also just so sad for the people who have been hurt, and I just can't believe that this is the first time in my life that I feel hopeful for the future in so long, and I feel like that's something that we all deserve.<br><br>This is probably as close as I'll be to Biden or Harris as I'll ever get, and I'm feeling like that's amazing. Being able to go vote and feel like it counted, like my vote mattered, felt amazing. I feel like I'm seeing my country again for the first time in years.<br><br>I do think that Biden and Harris will bring back a sense of calm and stability to the country. They've both talked about the need to end this polarization and to work to heal the country. I'm not saying that I agree with everything they have to say, but I do feel like they're going to bring a level of class, dignity and professionalism to the white house that we haven't seen in years. They both seem to care so much about the country and are motivated by altruism and a desire to help people. Neither of them have a desire for power for their own gain or for self-advancement. They're there for the right reasons. If anyone can bring stability and class to the country, I feel like it's them.<br><br>I think that Trump's loss is a huge loss for Putin and Russia, so that feels good.<br><br>I feel like we're living in a new reality. It feels surreal. I keep pinching myself and feeling like I'm going to wake up and realize that I'm dreaming. I'm so hopeful for the future. I feel like we can get out of this mess. I saw this post earlier about the stock market and I got so much hope from it. I feel like we're going to get out of this. I feel like this is the first time in years that the future of our country looks bright.<br><br>I'm actually proud to be American again.