10 years ago I got to cast my first ballot as a registered voter in Minnesota. My choices were simple yet complex for the race in Minnesota Governor.

My choices were as follows:

• A generational politician.
• A party-jumping mayor.
• An ex-pro wrestler.

I casted my voted for the generational politican. Left the polling place and went home to watch the results. Later on that night I watched the bright lime green signs with the name “Ventura” waving feverishly as Ventura was declared Governor of Minnesota. Minnesota had elected an ex-pro wrestler for their governor.

I went on and voted in 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006. Each time the ballot held no meaning to me. I truly felt that at anytime in my lifetime I would get the chance to vote for history. Then November 4th came.

My ballot was different in 2008 and different in a positive way. Yesterday, I had the choice to choose an African-American president on the democratic ticket or a female for vice-president on the republican ticket. I happily filled in the bubble next to the name Barack Obama/Joe Biden and happily cast my vote. I had the opportunity to contribute to history.

I watched the returns nervously at home at our bi-annual election party. Then when Obama was declared the winner, our house celebrated. I stayed up to watch his acceptance speech and I was mesmerized like many in the crowd. In my lifetime it was a historic moment.