How It All Began, Part II

June 1, 2006 was the day it all began.

After graduating in May and spending a few weeks with my family in San Francisco, I was off to my new home, Shaker Heights, OH, with my new family, the Fisher's. It wasn't until I brought my things into the house that I fully realized that we were really going through with this.

The first couple days seemed to last forever. Most of the time was spent on unpacking my many bags and boxes that had been shipped across the country and getting comfortable in my new room. Our first event was June 3rd at the Ohio Democratic annual dinner in Columbus, Ohio. We drove from Cleveland to Columbus, eventually arriving at the arena where the event was taking place. It was 3/4ths of the fisher family- Lee, Peggy; Jason and I packed into the SUV on a Saturday evening. And, I remember driving past the main entrance where many people stood outside. We parked the car and right as we turned the corner to enter the building, there was a huge uproar. Chants of "Lee! Lee! Lee!" echoed from the crowd. Everyone was ecstatic to see their lieutenant governor candidate address them with a friendly smile and brief statement. This was the first time it really hit me that this was not just Jason's dad but a public figure of Ohio.

Eventually we made our way inside and sat down at our table near the front. Shortly after the program began, I remember seeing a well-dressed man quietly walk towards the stage from the back, stopping at our table. He whispered a few things into Lee's ear, shook his hand and then left. But it wasn't until I saw that same guy on stage did I realize who it was. That guy was Barack Obama.

And to think, just weeks before I was just a college student figuring out what to do with my life.

--John