A little piece of video from the moments after Barack Obama ended his victory speech in Grant Park yesterday:

Despite the enormous crowd and the even larger historical context, the atmosphere was decidely respectful in Hutchison Field last night.  It was respect for Obama's incredible feat.  Respect for the occasion, one the crowd knew would stay with them for the rest of their lives.  They smiled and embraced and beared witness.  When he finally reached the stage, Obama's speech took on a similar, appropriate seriousness.

Speaking for myself, I looked at Barack and could only think of my earliest memories of the man: by himself, yet to win a single election, browsing the shelves of a Chicago bookstore.

I was born in Hyde Park several years before the now-president-elect moved there from New York and made it his home.  During high school, I worked at 57th Street Books, where he was regular customer.  When the yard signs marking his first state senate run appeared around the neighborhood, the name was already familiar to me having seen it on numerous receipts.  From there forward, his solitary visits to the store took on a new significance.  This guy was somebody.

It was a long journey from those quiet moments in the bookstore to the stage last night, and one I've observed from a stone's throw. Back in Chicago after college, I worked in and around politics and watched his U.S. Senate run with great curiosity.  I saw him at numerous small fundraisers around the city and remember well his primary victory party.  Several months later, I found myself in the upper deck of Boston's Fleet Center as he delivered the DNC keynote address that introduced him to the nation.  "This guy's a state senator," I said to my good friend Chris as signs bearing Obama's name spread across the stadium.

From there, the platforms just got bigger.  As he took office, I moved to D.C. and had several more chances to see him speak during those first two years of his Senate term.  Back in Chicago this year, I watched his Father's Day address at Apostolic Church on the South Side, his acceptance speech from the vast basin of Invesco Field in Denver, and finally his remarks last night.

A long journey, indeed.  One that's hard to wrap your head around. 

It was a remarkable campaign.  A remarkable 12 years.  I can't wait to watch him work on this new, enormous stage.