Voting has always been a personal tradition for me, one that became even more meaningful in 2008 when I took my young toddler along to the polls as I cast my vote. In that moment, I felt part of something groundbreaking—voting for the first Black president and hoping for a brighter future. Sixteen years later, as I watched that same “toddler,” now an adult, cast their vote, I experienced an incredible sense of pride and continuity. This time, I had all my children by my side to participate in another historic vote: casting our ballots for Kamala Harris, the first black and south asian female candidate for President. Capturing this moment was essential, and using the I Voted collection made documenting it even more special.

For this layout, I used the I Voted collection to create a cohesive, powerful visual story of these two monumental voting experiences. I began with a background that had large, bold words representing the ideals and the weight of these historical moments. Over this backdrop, I layered three strips of paper, each extending horizontally across the page. This strong horizontal structure reinforces the sense of a timeline—drawing the eye across years and generations, from 2008 to 2024.

At the heart of the layout are two cherished 3x4 photos: one of my toddler in 2008, and the other of my now-grown children proudly voting in 2024. In between these images, I placed a journaling card where I poured my thoughts on this remarkable journey. There, I expressed my gratitude for these experiences, for the impact of our collective votes, and for having raised my children to understand the significance of their voices in shaping the world.

To add a final layer of symbolism, I bracketed each photo with the names of these historical figures, using the I Voted Uncle Sam alpha set: “Obama” alongside the 2008 photo and “Kamala” next to the 2024 image. This framing not only anchors each moment but also draws attention to the historical context and the progress we’ve witnessed.

This layout is deeply meaningful to me, not only as a scrapbooker but as a parent and a citizen. It’s a visual legacy that captures the pride, hope, and continuity of our family's role in these transformative times. Through this page, I can see not only the memories we’ve created but also the values I hope my children carry forward into their own lives. This is the power of scrapbooking—not just documenting the moments, but celebrating the significance of the journey.