When the AP and other news outlets announced that Biden was the projected winner of the 2020 election on Saturday, I felt like I could finally breathe a sigh of relief. In talking to my friends, and scrolling through social media, there was just such an energy of hope and excitement. While we all realize and acknowledge that there’s still work to be done, it seemed like so many of us just wanted to take a day or two to celebrate the win, and the importance of it.

Having a BIPOC woman in the Vice President’s office is something to celebrate – having that example to hold up for so many little girls is so important! I don’t think people understand how pivotal representation is – you don’t know what you’re missing until it happens, and you understand how powerful it is.

And speaking of representation… Biden mentioned disability in his first address as the President-elect! This was another moment where the impact of it just hit me – I still get chills thinking about it. And then Jake Tapper called out #CripTheVote on national television! It’s a small thing, but it means so much – I felt seen, and heard, and represented.

So while I know the work doesn’t stop, I took some time this weekend to celebrate, and to allow myself to feel hopeful. And I don’t think that I’m alone.