After four years, I can finally breathe again.

I will never forget the day Donald Trump was elected. The excitement and anticipation of Hilary Clinton becoming the first female US president quickly turned to sorrow, frustration and embarrassment. I suddenly wasn’t proud to be an American.

I cried for what felt like days, mourning for the country I loved. And then the tears dried up and self-deprecating humour became a reliable coping mechanism for the anger and powerlessness. And with every news headline confirming my worst fears, that shame has stayed with me these last four years.

But today my hope was restored.

Since Tuesday I have followed the election with baited breath and even as results started to swing in our favour, I could not have anticipated the relief and overwhelming pride to know that Joseph Biden was declared President-Elect of the United States of America.

The stages of joy have come hard and fast.

First shock, as I tried to process the good news. Then I danced around the house, cheering in celebration as democracy and decency was restored. I called my family to rejoice and reflect on these past four years and share our hopes for the future. And I scrolled through social media to see the outpouring of love and collective euphoria at this momentous win.

But the moment I will never forget is watching as Kamala Harris stood up as the first woman, and first woman of colour, to be elected as Vice President of the United States. The happy tears started almost immediately.

“While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last”

While no one has ever said outright that the presidency is only fit for men, the crushing blow in the 2016 election was the next best thing. The ceiling felt like concrete, not glass, as you start to believe that even in the 21st century, the only leadership that will ever be respected is that of men.

So to witness history being made, as a woman with such grace, compassion and integrity addressed the nation – all the heartache became worth it.

The tears didn’t stop throughout her speech and through Biden’s acceptance.

I think it was reality sinking in. We would finally have a leader who cares and is dedicated to improving the lives of American people. We no longer have to give credence to lies and vitriol, and tweets in all caps don’t make the nightly news.

Most of all, I am so proud to be among the 74 million Americans who voted for a better future in this historic election. As Vice President-Elect Harris said, “Democracy is not a state, but an act”. We showed up when it counted and voted for the country we want to be.

This whole day I have felt more connected to the country of my mother and grandmother than I have in a very long time.

And while this joy is still fresh and over the coming days the tears will dry and life will go on, I will stand tall as an American, proud of where I come from and the nation I am a part of.