That’s what I was thinking last night as my kids darted around the neighbor’s house, alternating between watching the electoral map, eating hot dogs and playing tag with their friends.

They were feeling the excitement as the returns came in, as McCain gave his gracious concession speech and then as the Obama and Biden families took the stage. I wanted to freeze the moment so they’d never forget, but then realized that I didn’t need to. The historic night would help to shape their view of politics and of the world itself. Never again would it be strange and foreign for an African-American – or a woman or any other sort of person – to be elected president.

As we headed down the street in the quiet darkness, I felt like running to find a rally or some other form of celebration. But we went inside to bed instead, excited and content. The boys fell into bed and immediate slumber. I lay awake and savored the feeling, knowing that friends in Canada and France were celebrating too. And confident that whatever troubles might lie ahead, this moment would never be taken away and would have a lasting impact on everything in the future – a future that belongs, after all, to the kids.