I never really knew what it meant to be Boston Strong. I mean, I guess I had an idea of what it meant, but I never really felt like I completely belonged here in Boston. However, all of that changed on April 18, 2016: the date of this year's Boston Marathon. I had the amazing opportunity to volunteer at a water station for the day and I can’t even begin to explain the feelings that came over me. This year, the marathon was really special because my Uncle was running for the first time in a few years. I was filled with so much pride and excitement, anticipating the moment that he would run by and I could cheer him on while the rest of our family waited for his arrival at the finish line.

I arrived at my station, mile 20.05, early in the morning and my team and I began to set up our water table. I worked with my friends from Cru and even had the opportunity to get to know other students from around the city. A little while later, the sides of the road began to fill with spectators wielding homemade signs to cheer on the runners- everyone from family and friends to complete strangers. They were eager to support everyone who was completing the 26.2 mile race through Boston. I also noticed that there was a very large police presence with many service men and women patrolling both the runners' and spectators' area.

The marathon began with the wheelchair racers. Watching all of them fighting to make it the whole 26.2 miles with Heartbreak Hill only a few feet ahead was unbelievable, exciting, and so inspiring. I joined the rest of the ecstatic spectators, cheering on the racers as they flew past us. Soon after, we heard the announcement that the elite women would be running by. I got into position, holding my first cup of water out anxiously, standing nervously, and shaking slightly due to the excitement of seeing such amazing athletes in action. The spectators began to cheer louder and louder as the women ran closer and closer, and my heart began to race faster and faster the louder they cheered. One of the elite women grabbed a cup from my hand and poured it quickly onto herself to cool down from the increasing heat. In that moment my heart stopped. It was as if I had met a rockstar, or George Clooney. These women are some of the best in the world in their sport, and I had the honor of standing on the same road and watching them in action, watching history play out before me.

The number of runners quickly increased. The elite men whizzed past us like lightening! My heart began to race again! After the elite men came the rest of the runners. Soon I was handing out cup after cup trying to keep up with the increasing demand. They were trying to cool down and stay hydrated for the remainder of the race. I screamed and cheered the runners on as they made their way toward Heartbreak Hill, one of the hardest parts of the race; a place where many athletes watch their dreams of crossing the finish line away. I watched as a few runners collapsed on the side of the road in agony due to leg cramps. Spectators jumped into action and helped them through the pain. One man laid in the grass in excruciating pain as a few people on the sidelines tried to comfort him. After a little while, they picked him up and cheered him on as he fought to finish the race.

I watched as survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing ran past us. That was by far the most inspiring sight of the day. They never gave up. They were Boston Strong-the true definition of it. The tragic events of that day will forever live on in the minds of the people of Boston, but those haunting memories will never stop them because of the unending pride that they have for their city. You can see it in the way that they love their sports teams, in the way they walk and talk, and even in the way that they dress. The attack that day made the city of Boston grow closer and stronger. Having the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing experience full of feelings of love, happiness, triumph, resilience, and community will stay with me for the rest of my life. I felt such pride for my city-my new home-that day. And now I can say with pride that I, too, have become Boston Strong. Nothing, and no one, can ever stop Boston, and that will never change.

"We are one. We are strong. We are Boston. We are Boston strong.”