I tucked my two daughters into bed last night and stole downstairs to watch the first night of the convention. I've been a big fan of Hillary Clinton's for a long time, and no third reading of Room on the Broom was going to keep me from watching this woman get nominated.

Even for a fan like me, it's easy to sink into lowered expectations. I poured a glass of wine and sat down with -- I'll fully admit it -- not a lot of enthusiasm for what I was about to see. But Cory Booker and Michelle Obama just blew me away. And what were they talking about? Love. Children. Gratitude. Inclusion, respect, and dignity for all. They brought American values back to the basic human principles we can all believe in. They elevated to a national platform the simple but relentless human desire to see our children thrive, giving every family the voice and the championship they deserve.

What really stood out for me during last night's speeches was the focus on simple concepts that I want my children to learn. The First Lady shared her family's motto "when they go low, we go high". Senator Booker quoted an African saying: "If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together."

My daughters, all of 3 and 6, know full well that this is important, but they can't possibly grasp the full context within which this convention is taking place. While the world is facing escalating mass violence, an increasingly armed and dangerous citizenry, and the normalization of hatred and bigotry, the headliners at the DNC turned to love, inclusion, and respect for all.
These are the people I want to be serving as role models for my children, and for all children.

Giphy