In my life, I've been lucky enough to vote five times for the woman that inspires me, Hillary Clinton. The first time was during her run for the Senate in New York. When she first announced her run, I began counting down the days until I got to cast my vote for her. I walked into the polling location a big Hillary pin hidden under my jacket. This was one of the few times I didn't cry while voting, but I was still deeply moved.

The second time I voted for Hillary was for her senate reelection campaign. She made me proud to have voted for her during her first term and reelecting her was a no-brainer for me. This time I helped the campaign by knocking doors and making phone calls a few times a week. New york is better off because of Hillary Clinton.

The third time I voted for Hillary was in 2008 during the New York Democratic Presidential Primary. I've always loved President Obama but Hillary has a special place in my heart. It took me 5 minutes to cast my ballot because I didn't want any of the poll workers to see me crying. I felt all of the women who fought for my right to vote, leading my hand as I voted for Hillary.

The fourth time I voted for Hillary was during the most recent New York Democratic Presidential Primary election. After eight historic years of Barack Obama, America was more than ready to continue their march towards full equality by electing the first female nominee of a major political party. I remember watching the Democratic National Convention with my wife, crying as Hillary stepped out in her suffragette white pantsuit. I was so proud to have voted for her.

The fifth and most recent time I voted for Hillary was the most impactful to me. I woke up on November 8th feeling slightly nauseous and anxious. Throughout the day I had not let Trump scare me because if he did, he won in my mind. When I voted for Hillary that day, I felt a weight lift off of me and allowed myself to take a step back to observe this historic moment. I imagined my great-grandmother, who never had the right to vote in her lifetime, looking down at me as I voted for Hillary. Despite what ended up happening, I'm so proud of the vote I got to cast.

Now I wait until I can vote for Hillary again.

Love,
KLG