<p>I was there for the 2004 speech. Tears rolling down my face, exhausted from the process, exhilarated by possibilities I hung on every word.Strangely connected to new faces.Then a Mom behind me commented in my ear - “at least the roommate is normal”. At 4:30p, parents were dismissed. I returned to the Ameri-Suites alone, I shared a bottle of wine in the breakfast area now oddly quiet with a few of my new faces- we laughed and we hugged - bonded in the moment. It was going to be okay.</p>