The first was in September when I canvased for the first time in my life. I was sent to a ritzier part of Denver, where the average demographic was people in their late 40s to early 60s with children either late in primary schooling through to just finishing college. I was mainly polling undecided voters, and handing out fliers if they wished to have more information. I walked up to this one house and rang the door bell. A man in his late 40′s or early 50′s answers the door and I look down at my sheet and am about to ask if a specific woman is there, only to realize that their age is 19. I immediately realize the awkwardness of my situation, a 20 something male asking to talk to this guy’s 19 year old daughter, who’s probably off at college. I look up, smile, give my introduction and told him I was doing polling for the DNC and would he have time to answer 5 questions. He politely answered as I pretended to mark down his answers, and when he finished I asked if there was anyone else of voting age registered for this house who might be willing to answer the same. He mentioned that his wife was out and that his daughter was (as I guessed) off at college.

The other was on election night. I was at a coworker’s place. Everyone was having a blast chatting and drinking. I noticed on the TV that Ohio had been placed in Obama’s column. I announced to the downstairs that with the win of Ohio, Obama had taken it. Shots were handed out. Then more shots were handed out. Then there was McCain’s concession speech. At which point I proceeded to go around and hug everyone at the party. While doing that one of the guests said, “I’m a Republican.” To which I responded, “It doesn’t matter anymore brother.” And hugged him anyway.