babe • Nov 14 2018

Why do I feel like a proud mom when I watch Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Instagram Stories?

My baby is going off to college!

Objectively speaking, this doesn't make a lot of sense. I am a 22-year-old recent college grad who still lives with her parents in New York. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a 29-year-old politician who was recently elected to serve in Congress. To my knowledge I have never given birth, and I certainly did not give birth to Alexandria.

So riddle me this: WHY do I feel an overwhelming maternal urge wash over me whenever I watch her Instagram Stories?

Today, for example, Alexandria walked us through her first day of new member orientation, and I had to force myself to hold back actual tears of pride. "Sooo back to normal things, what happens when you actually check into orientation — you get a swag bag!" she said cheerfully as she gestured towards a tote bag bursting with goodies. "Look at that! Isn't that so cute?"

I can't be the only one who thinks she sounds EXACTLY like an excited freshman FaceTiming her parents on her first day of orientation, right? I just want to scream back at her: YES, ALEXANDRIA!! I am so proud of you and your little swag bag! Go show the world who you are!

The swag bag even comes with a little United States Congress seal. Now isn't that precious!

Next, I watched eagerly as she flipped through a yearbook with all the photos of the other new members of Congress. Would you just look at all of those (predominantly white, male) smiling faces! I sure hope she plays nice with the other kids. Maybe they'll even become friends, and we can have them over for Thanksgiving dinner! Wouldn't that be nice?

My maternal pride further intensified as she took us on a little tour around her new workplace. "Guys, there are secret underground tunnels between all of these government buildings!" she whispered covertly as she traversed the hidden underground world of Washington, DC. She then shot a quick video of the Library of Congress and wrote, "Welcome to Hogwarts."

Finally, my heart burst with happiness as I watched her take a photo with all the other cool new congresswomen, and captioned it: "But first…SQUAD."

It's no use. I am openly sobbing now. My baby is growing up so fast!

@nian_hu

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