This past week I watched politicians, celebrities, and political pundits descend on my hometown of Chicago for the Democratic National Convention (DNC). It was a euphoric spectacle featuring thunderous speeches from the Obamas, beautiful moments between Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz and his family, and even heartbreaking stories that speak to the aftermath of the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Democrats are fired up and pushing back in a way we haven’t seen in years. The 2024 DNC culminated Thursday night with Vice President Harris’s stirring and stirring speech accepting the Democratic Party’s nomination for president. It was a historic, candid, and jubilant evening.

Harris spoke about her incredible journey from the court to the White House, her childhood memories and why she has always been for the people. "I believe that everyone has the right to safety, dignity and justice," she said. She also spoke passionately about building an opportunity economy that keeps the American dream within reach for all. It was a beautiful speech. But what did it cost to get here?

Just two months ago, the political landscape looked drastically different. After witnessing President Biden’s disastrous debate performance in late June, I resigned myself to one last summer of self-care delusions before steeling myself in the fall and casting my vote for Biden-Harris in November. Everything else, as I had learned so cruelly in 2016, was beyond my control.

Within a few weeks, everything changed. I was sitting at my birthday dinner in a daze when I heard about the assassination attempt on Trump. Then, days later, rumors broke that Biden was dropping out of the presidential race. The respite was short-lived, as a new kind of anxiety began to creep in as it became clear that Harris would likely seek the nomination in his place.