A brief note: November 9 marks nine years since I became an American citizen, a fact that often surprises many people who (understandably) assume I was born here. I wrote about why I became a citizen when I did for my seventh anniversary, and about the fragility of citizenship for my eighth.

This year’s anniversary comes amid a stunning rebuke of Donald Trump and his Republican cohort, a blue tsunami that swept over deep-red precincts and Republican strongholds to elect Democrats, in some places for the first time in decades—or nearly a century. Many of the most vituperative MAGA standard bearers went down in defeat.

It also comes amid an extraordinary number of long-overdue “firsts” in America’s 250 years: the first Black female governor; the first Muslim senator; the first time more than one Black governor will serve at the same time—at least five, perhaps more; the first Latina governor of Texas; and so many more. I remain surprised at each one, yet grateful that I can witness them.

In addition to all of that, Elon Musk lit $455 million on fire in a spectacularly failed attempt to buy the election for right-wing Republicans (including $168 million to Texas’ Ken Paxton), only to watch his giant, unworkable con take a tumble—however briefly—in the aftermath of the election.

And if that wasn’t enough to make me grin giddily, Democrats took control of enough state legislatures and governorships to maybe, finally, mercifully, neuter the Electoral College and enable the election of the president by popular vote.

When I first made the decision to become an American citizen, it was partly out of fear, uncertainty, and doubt. That FUD has persisted through almost every Election Day since (with notable exceptions).

I’m not naïve enough to believe that one election marks a turning point—indeed, there’s reason to believe things will get darker—but after this Election Day rout, this is my most optimistic celebration yet.