Dear Paxton,

Three days ago, America elected its first black president. I hope that when you're old enough to realize this, you will know a country that recognizes and respects the rights of all people. I hope that the idea of denying homosexuals the right to marry seems archaic. I hope that the notion that we had 43 presidents before we ventured outside the norm of a white male seems ridiculous to you and nearly impossible to believe. I hope that you grow up with a sensitivity to the plight of others. I hope you never grow cynical and always believe that we are better united than divided. You, my sweet boy, can be anything you want. And this world you have to navigate just got a little better.

Sweet Paxton, you won't remember it, but you were part of this historical moment in our country. When you were just a little guy, we kept you up late to vote in the caucus. You went with us weeks ago to early vote. On election day, you were in my arms, and together we waved signs in support of Barack Obama. We got lots of positive honks, a few thumbs downs and one ill-natured man who flashed the finger. Any man who would flip off a woman holding a baby is probably not someone either party would be quick to embrace. But we endured. You in your Babies 4 Obama onesie, and me in my Barack Obama t-shirt. Tizzy was there, too, with Seymour wearing one of your old t-shirts, decorated with the words "Dogs for Obama". We're a silly family, and we have a lot of fun in every circumstance!

On election night, I woke you up, much to your initial dismay, and took you to the poll-watching party for the Democrats in Hays County. There were so many people there! You made a little friend who played ball with you on the floor, while we all cheered as we watched the polls close and the good news come rolling in! We stayed for about an hour before you needed to head back to bed. Home we went, and you were all tucked in to your crib while Daddy and I watched John McCain's gracious and good concession speech. He is a good man, but after eight years of Bush running our country into the ground, America opted for a change.

Then we watched Barack Obama come onto the stage in Chicago with his beautiful, young family. A moment that simple and pure was rife with emotion. It represented so much more than met the eye. This country took a giant step forward to equality. This country looked beyond color to the heart of an individual. I felt so proud of the United States and so thankful to be a part of it. President-Elect Obama's speech was elequent, as expected, and inspiring, as always. For the first time in two years, the message was about healing the divide in this country, and healing the wounds of war, economic collapse, floundering students, negligent insurance coverage. Obama has a hard road ahead of him, and we can only hope that Americans will be patient. Your daddy and I have faith, though, that he will work toward making this world a better place for your future. And you were a part of it, baby boy. You were there every step of the way.