Yes. We. Did.

Goosebumps. Little dimples on the skin that accompany a tingling feeling that rushes quickly throughout the body. I'd felt them before, but never in a situation like this.

Barack Obama addressed the nation only moments ago after being announced as the first African-American man elected to be the President of the United States. His words were eloquent and commanding. They sent chills through my veins for what seemed like unending minutes. "I met the President of the United States almost a year ago; I even shook his hand," I thought as he waved to the Chicago crowd and hugged his wife, Michelle.

I will remember this moment for the rest of my life.

From the night when I first heard Barack Obama speak, two years ago at the University of New Hampshire shortly after announcing his decision to run for president, I was in awe of him. I loved his charisma and the feeling that he would actually try his hardest to better our country, regardless of who stepped in his way. I never thought he could actually become president; he was too hopeful, too slime-free. I saw John Edwards weeks later at UNH and as unimpressed as I was, he seemed like a candidate more likely to be elected. Edwards didn't seem real; he couldn't relate to the middle class or the everyday worker of America (his $1000 haircuts can attest to that). But Obama was, and that's why I liked him.

I never thought he could get this far.

I later met Obama when he came to my old high school, A. Crosby Kennett in Conway, NH. I volunteered and got a front-row seat to another one of his rousing speeches as he vied for the presidential nomination against Hillary Clinton. I felt so lucky to get that chance, to see him up close. He's a man of the people. He doesn't sling mud at his opponents unless it affects the country. He never stooped to the levels of Clinton's campaign managers (emphasizing Obama's race) or McCain and Palin (his association with Bill Ayers) because it had no bearing on what was happening in the country. For the first time in my life, I watched a politican concentrate entirely on what he can do to help solve our nation's problems instead of getting caught up in asking for votes just to garner the title of "President of the United States." Obama wanted that title, sure he did. But he wanted it in the best interest of the country, not for himself.

To all you McCain supporters out there, I say shame on you for not seeing the truth. McCain would have botched this presidency just as he botched his campaign. He was a great candidate in 2000 but now, he's just a crazy old man who will stop at nothing to be president. I thank God that he did not win this election because despite his war heroics and despite what he would tell you, he does not have the country's best interests at heart. He is a great politican and a good man, but he is not fit to run our nation. It doesn't matter how much you may disagree with Obama's beliefs, you simply can't argue against the fact that he is undoubtedly the best choice for this job and the best that our country has seen in generations.

I've never felt more strongly about an election in my life. Yes, I greatly despised George W. Bush's eight years in office but without his struggles, without his victories over Al Gore and John Kerry, Barack Obama never would have had this opportunity. And no matter what happens in his years as president, he is "the change we need." He is a reason to get up and cheer for our country. He gives me goosebumps. He is Barack Obama. For the first time in my life, I can't wait for what the political future will bring.

Thank you America, we did it.