When I woke up Wednesday morning I immediately checked the results. It was automatic, almost robotic. I have to say I was shocked at what I saw. Then I checked the 40-some texts I got from my friends, ranging from pure joy to pure devastation. No, I wasn’t still sleeping, what I had seen was true. Donald Trump is going to be our next president, and there is nothing anyone can do about it now. As a woman I was upset, and a little heartbroken. I have always found his comments to be disgusting, and it hurt to know that everyone else didn’t feel the same. I allowed myself to feel this pain for a few moments, and then shook it away. Pain was not going to help anyone, so I got up, and decided to go on with my day, how ever hard it may be. Then, I felt a sense of resolve. This is our president, our country, and I can sit here and complain, or I can make the best out of the next four years. So I have chosen to do just that.

I know not everyone is happy, and I know that that is an understatement. I have witnessed the tears of the women around me. I have seen the triumphs and the devastation that has filled my classmates' eyes. I understand both sides, and I also understand that there are only two possible outcomes of this presidency. We, as a nation, can become divided and hateful, or we can come together and love one another. I have chosen the second outcome. I have made the conscious decision to love the people around me, whether they have the same views as I do or not. This is no longer a matter of if, it is what it is. We must make a decision as a nation on how we are going to let this define us, and personally I am going to let this make me a better person.

This may seem like an idea coming from a young girl with no experience, but I truly believe that we can learn to love our neighbors. Our country can be the nation we have always dreamed of it being. We can be the greatest country in the world, we just need to act. I believe that if we choose to be loving, and kind, and tolerant, then it will be so. If we choose to be filled with hate and fear, then it will be so. We, the people, have the ultimate say in this outcome, and in our country. So, if this is true, and I am not just a naive young girl, then we all must be aware of what we do next. We cannot let hate define us. We must make a move in the right direction. We are the United States of America, and if we want to say we are the greatest country in the world then we must act like it. We must stand together, and we must not become hard.

If we have elected a president that is not tolerant, then we must be. We must love everyone that our president does not. If we have elected a president that doesn’t lift every last one of us up, then we must lift each other. We can overcome anything if we do it together. That means that those who voted for Trump must be supportive of why some didn’t. And those who voted for Clinton, it is now time to support our president, whether he was our candidate or not. We cannot stand as Democrats and Republicans anymore. The election is over, and those titles have gone with it. We are Americans. We will stand together. It is time to support Trump, and hope that he can help this country. And if he can’t, well, then we will learn from our mistakes and we will do better next time.

I hope that you smile at everyone you walk past, and you hug your friends. I hope that this election did not destroy relationships, and that no matter what, you still love those around you. Because if you don’t, then tragedy has struck, and this country can not define itself as a leader. We cannot say that we are strong, and in power, because if this election has divided us, then we are weaker than I thought. So everyone, please, follow my lead and put on your rose colored glasses. Be supportive and stay educated. Speak up for what you believe in, but listen to the opinions of those around you. Be tolerant, be kind, and be aware. We are Americans, and today, tomorrow, and forever we must stand together. This is our country, so let’s make sure we’re proud of it.