Alive Right Now
January 30, 2017
I was getting coffee yesterday morning with Lydia when Jason texted. There's a protest at the White House at 1 p.m. I want to go. Noah does too.
"Welp. I better get home." I told her. "This is what life is like now, I guess."
I got home, changed my shirt, refastened an assortment of buttons and a safety pin to my coat, and put on my ridiculous pink hat.
The boys and Jason all changed into Hamilton-themed shirts, while Noah carefully packed up the Declaration, Constitution and Bill of Rights.
He also chose a hat.
The protest quickly moved from a rally at the White House into a march past Trump's hotel and to the Capitol building (something the Women's March ended up being simply too massive to attempt), so we joined in.
For something that was somewhat hastily planned and Jason only spotted somewhat randomly on Facebook, the turnout was insane.
The line of marchers -- once a again a wildly diverse, universally peaceful crowd -- went on and on as far as I could see in both directions.
Ike took it all in with a bit of baffled wonder, while Ezra understood that we were marching against the wall, and for his Muslim friends at school.
Noah, of course, was there to fight against what he sees as the MANY clear violations of his precious documents going on right now, and to officially take his place among other Great Defenders who had come before him.
"We're part of history now," I overheard Noah tell him. "Everything happening right now is history."
We marched past the Newseum, whose balcony was full of cheering supporters, and whose facade is etched with the First Amendment.
Noah quickly recognized it, and started reading it out loud, his voice growing louder and more confident with each word.
We kept marching. Feet grew sore, legs grew tired, and backpacks (and five-year-olds) grew heavy.
And we kept marching.
All the way to the steps of the Capitol.
We eventually parted ways with the crowd, partly because everybody was way overdue for a snack and drink break...
...partly because Ike wanted to go play with some birds...
...but mostly because we'd promised Noah a museum visit, and needed to get to one before closing time.
He chose a repeat visit to the National Archives, to visit his old friends, the REAL Founding Documents.
On our way out, he showed his Bill of Rights to a security guard, pointing out all the additional "signatures" he'd gotten from his friends and teachers at school.
"Well with all those signatures," the guard said. "That needs an official stamp, don't you think?"
He pulled out a inkpad and stamped Noah's replica with a seal of the National Archives and thanked him for his support of American rights and ideals.
Noah stared at the stamp in awe. "My Bill of Rights is an official document now. It's officially real history."
He beamed at me.
"I can't believe it. I made SO MUCH history today, Mom!"
Yes you did. And you are just getting started.
Oh my god, the stamp at the end, I legit almost cried for Noah. He is literally the best.
Posted by: Emily | January 30, 2017 at 12:33 PM
Thanks for going out there, Storches, and thanks for making me cry the good sort of tears.
Posted by: bekala | January 30, 2017 at 12:33 PM
Love you, Noah! (And the rest of the family, too ;-) )
Posted by: Jesabes | January 30, 2017 at 12:34 PM
Love every bit of this (well, except the part about why you have to protest).
Posted by: Jodi | January 30, 2017 at 12:36 PM
That was beautiful.
Posted by: Marivic Valencia | January 30, 2017 at 12:38 PM
MY HEART IS SO FULL BECAUSE OF THIS POST. The Emily who commented a few minutes ago said it all for me but here I am anyway because come on dude. So proud to read all of this and wage some motherfucking peace, acceptance, and constitutionality alongside all of you.
Posted by: emily | January 30, 2017 at 12:43 PM
Love, just love. There have been some bright spots these past nine days ($24 million to the ACLU this weekend, Kal Penn raising $500k for refugees, friends getting active for the first time) and this post is definitely one of them.
Posted by: Allison | January 30, 2017 at 12:44 PM
Noah makes me cry on the regular.
Posted by: RzDrms | January 30, 2017 at 12:45 PM
I am so crying right now...Noah is so wonderful and amazing!
Posted by: Jean | January 30, 2017 at 12:47 PM
Tears! There is still so much good out there, and still so much worth fighting for.
Posted by: Sarah | January 30, 2017 at 12:48 PM
The stamp!
I just teared up. Congrats to Noah. Good work!
Posted by: Becca | January 30, 2017 at 12:52 PM
Oh I love it all. Noah's enthusiasm especially.
My husband and five year old were down there also. My little guy got overwhelmed after not too long, but he held up his homemade sign with an American flag that said "be kind" and shouted "this is what democracy looks like." I was so proud.
Posted by: SarahB | January 30, 2017 at 12:53 PM
Tears at work! Excellent parenting, Amy!
Posted by: Catherine | January 30, 2017 at 12:55 PM
Someone needs to give that security guard a commendation or something. If you got his name, write a letter to the museum. He should be recognized.
Thank you for marching. And tell Noah we are all so proud of him for being part of history.
Posted by: Cheryl S. | January 30, 2017 at 12:57 PM
A beautifully written piece - I have tears in my eyes. Noah is wonderful.
Posted by: Ida | January 30, 2017 at 12:58 PM
Don't think I've ever done anything but lurk here, but THIS. Are you the proudest mom in the world? You better be!!!!!
Posted by: Christina | January 30, 2017 at 12:59 PM
Wonderful! All of it! As always, thanks for sharing it with us:).
Posted by: Sarahd | January 30, 2017 at 01:04 PM
Love this so much.
Posted by: Lizardek | January 30, 2017 at 01:04 PM
This one gave me chills. I love you
Posted by: Laura | January 30, 2017 at 01:09 PM
Chills and tears. Noah for President!!! <3
Posted by: Lorrian Ippoliti | January 30, 2017 at 01:10 PM
I'm also crying at work. So happy/proud of him, and you all.
This makes me hopeful, thanks for fighting the good fight.
Posted by: Chelsea Garside | January 30, 2017 at 01:11 PM
Thank you so much for taking your kids to this and for sharing about it. I'm a Canadian grieving an act of terror that was committed against a mosque in Quebec last night. I've spent the morning reading the news in horror. This was a nice reminder that there is resistance.
Posted by: Laura | January 30, 2017 at 01:15 PM
OMG Noah, Ezra, & Ike are THE.BEST.KIDS.EVER.
Posted by: Audrey | January 30, 2017 at 01:18 PM
I almost cried earlier watching Noah reading the first (FIRST FOR A REASON, IMHO) amendment on Instagram...and a big fat tear just rolled down my nose reading about his interaction with the security guard.
You and your family (and that guard at the museum) are what's right about this country right now.
Posted by: Jamilyn | January 30, 2017 at 01:26 PM
I love your kid.
Posted by: erin | January 30, 2017 at 01:26 PM
Please thank Noah for making me feel better today. The rally in Boston yesterday left me feeling raw--there's Just So Much Happening--and I think I needed his reminder on perspective. Let's make this history turn out right.
Posted by: ccr in MA | January 30, 2017 at 01:32 PM
Awesome! I am so glad you are teaching your children history.
Posted by: Mom Becka | January 30, 2017 at 01:37 PM
I guess this is just what we do on Saturdays now?
Posted by: sarah | January 30, 2017 at 01:38 PM
"We're part of history now." That made me tear up. Thank you for raising awesome kids.
Posted by: Amy in StL | January 30, 2017 at 01:40 PM
I can't even believe this is my country right now. Thank you for being there and raising civic minded, compassionate children.
Posted by: Meredith | January 30, 2017 at 01:47 PM
oh my word, Noah, I'm crying. So sweet, and gives me so much hope that our children will carry this nation well when they inherit it.
Posted by: Bria | January 30, 2017 at 01:53 PM
Man I love that kid. Looking forward to the awesome grown up super hero he's gonna be.
Posted by: Lori | January 30, 2017 at 01:53 PM
Yeah, totally bawling at work. What an amazing heart Noah has <3. Thank you for marching for us!!
Posted by: Chris | January 30, 2017 at 01:56 PM
I'm totally all verklempt. Thank you for having a wonderful family.
Thank you for marching.
Posted by: liz | January 30, 2017 at 02:07 PM
All the feels!
Posted by: Brita | January 30, 2017 at 02:19 PM
Tears!!!! I love this!!!!
Posted by: Stacy | January 30, 2017 at 02:21 PM
Thanks for making me cry at work. Although these days it doesn't take much. #CryEveryDay
Posted by: Judii | January 30, 2017 at 02:23 PM
Go Noah! Love this so much!
Posted by: Betsy | January 30, 2017 at 02:33 PM
Noah (and your whole family, frankly) make(s) me proud to be an American. Good job!
Posted by: Kristen | January 30, 2017 at 02:49 PM
I cannot WAIT to see what Noah's future will hold! It gives me hope :) Meanwhile, I fought through my phone anxiety today to call my senators and voice my opinions, and after I explained to my 4 year old why I was inspired to finally do it by her book about Martin Luther King Jr., when I went to make my next phone call she said, "Because it's not fair, and it's not right". This is a terrible time in our history, but I am at least inspired by the things are children are learning from those of us trying to take some kind of action!
Posted by: Carolyn | January 30, 2017 at 02:54 PM
I've been a loyal reader since forever (pre-Noah). I don't think I've ever commented, but this? This deserves a comment. This gives me hope. I have two-year-old twins, and I worry every day about them, and the world that we are creating for them. If my boys can grow up to be as amazing as yours, I will have done something right. Thanks, Amy, for being an amazing mom, and for helping us all to find our way through this mess. Noah is my hero.
Posted by: Shawnee | January 30, 2017 at 03:20 PM
Dammit, Amy! Why you gotta go and make me cry? It's possible I have some pent up feelings these days. I couldn't make it out yesterday due to a home alone with sleeping baby situation but I'm hoping my husband gets home in time tonight that I can go to the vigil at the Supreme Court.
Posted by: Lori | January 30, 2017 at 03:35 PM
That baby boy of yours - he is just amazing. Crying happy tears. Go, Noah!
Posted by: Jelourai | January 30, 2017 at 03:40 PM
where is the heart eyes emoji, when you need it? GO NOAH! You made history indeed!
Posted by: Pam | January 30, 2017 at 03:41 PM
I live deep deep In a red state and I'm struggling right now. You're smack down was a beacon of hope to me as a new mom and then AGAIN as a mother of two.
Now you and sweet Noah are a beacon of hope to a highly anxious mother who isn't sure what to make of the world were living in right now.
Thank you so much for sharing💕
Posted by: Kristen | January 30, 2017 at 04:04 PM
I heart this so much!
Posted by: Lindsey | January 30, 2017 at 04:14 PM
Crying real actual tears right now. He made SO MUCH history. *Sobbing*
My almost-3-year-old was diagnosed with ASD last year, so Noah is a personal hero of mine. This post made me feel all the emotions.
Posted by: Kayleigh | January 30, 2017 at 04:19 PM
I have had a sh*tty day full of pettiness, with a big does of existential dread and a family death on top. After reading headlines I came over to see what the Storches have been up to and feel so much better now. Yes indeed, Noah. You! Are making history and may we all follow your lead.
Posted by: Annie B | January 30, 2017 at 04:26 PM
Big does would have been far preferable to the big dose of our new reality today. 😀
Posted by: Annie B | January 30, 2017 at 04:27 PM
I love all of this. Thanks for raising such great kids and for sharing these stories. <3
Posted by: Dori P | January 30, 2017 at 05:15 PM
Tears of happiness for Noah here too!
My family arrived for vacation in Washington DC the evening before Nixon took his leave. I was a jaded teen who didn't want to go on no stoopid vacation with my stoopid family and why couldn't I just stay home. :::insert foot stomp here:::. My dad was a HUGE history buff, so he insisted we go to the White House the next morning to "see historyou happen." He was a cop in our hometown and he flashed his badge to some of the District "brothers" and asked where a good spot for his daughters to watch would be. They directed him to "that gate" which happened to be where the Ford kids came in in their limo and stopped right in front of us and put down the power windows and waved to us as those massive gates opened. A little while later, we saw Nixon as he boarded the helicopter and flashed that double peace sign and was gone. So yeah, 40+ years later, it still resonates with me. I hope your boys keep this memory tucked in their brain for as long as I have mine.
Posted by: Sue W | January 30, 2017 at 05:20 PM
THANK YOU And your family. I am so scared. But then I tell myself when they impose Martial Law (to control the protests) and put us in concentration camps and kill us that I will be in good company. But I don't think that really helped enough in Burma's Killing Fields, or Nazi Germany or Rwanda because dead is still dead. THANK you for being part of the beacon of hope.
Posted by: Crone | January 30, 2017 at 05:22 PM
Hi! Thank you for this. Long time reader here. Can I ask you to consider an enormous public service? I'm in the D.C. area as well and not currently on Facebook or social media for a variety of reasons that are too numerous to mention, but first and foremost is that I have loved ones who are Trump supporters and... I just can't with them. I was at the Women's March and they knew it and we just... talked about the weather. I learned about the march yesterday from your blog, but obviously, it was too late for me to participate. Any chance you would consider broadcasting social justice/political action events that you hear about via your website? Not as an endorsement, but more as a beacon of information? :) Anyhow, so happy to hear you all had a good experience. Those are some awesome kids you have there!
Posted by: LP | January 30, 2017 at 05:23 PM
Tears! This is great.
Posted by: April | January 30, 2017 at 05:39 PM
I am crying right now. So incredibly proud of you and your family!
Posted by: Cindy | January 30, 2017 at 05:53 PM
All the feels.
I saw a tweet yesterday from Hank Green that said 'I'm starting to feel like, "Which protest do you want to go to this weekend?" is going to be 2017's "Where do you want to go for dinner?"
It filled me with pride but at the same time made me really sad. We live a few hours from DC and I was able to make it to the women's march, such an insane amazing experience, as we were able to get next to the stage, but now there's all these other protests I can't make it to. :(
Posted by: Lindsay | January 30, 2017 at 06:20 PM
this post made my day.
Posted by: Julia | January 30, 2017 at 06:25 PM
Thank you so much for sharing this. We need to share as many bright lights as we can, and Noah is one of the brightest.
Posted by: Amy | January 30, 2017 at 06:53 PM
This is perfection. I can FEEL Noah's awe!
Posted by: Alice | January 30, 2017 at 07:08 PM
Love!! And, like everyone else, tears! So great you are getting the boys involved and fighting for what is right. ❤
Posted by: Stacy | January 30, 2017 at 07:50 PM
Not just a moment, Noah--you are the movement.
Posted by: Deanna | January 30, 2017 at 08:03 PM
Yes. Yes, yes, yes. And thank you.
Posted by: Kiera | January 30, 2017 at 08:07 PM
Yep, happy tears over here too. Thank you for sharing that, and for being the kind of Mom (and human) who does that!
Posted by: Amelia | January 30, 2017 at 09:19 PM
Oh, Noah. Wow! You and your brothers make so many of us very, very proud! Keep rocking!!!
Posted by: LD's Mom | January 30, 2017 at 09:19 PM
Crying. Thank you for giving me hope.
Posted by: M | January 30, 2017 at 09:23 PM
Thank you for marching (again) Amy. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Posted by: Maggie | January 30, 2017 at 09:23 PM
I've been a lurker for a good 6 years now, turning off my status for this.
Oh the feels. Way to go Noah! This makes me so happy.
Ok, going back to regular lurker status now.
Posted by: Angela | January 30, 2017 at 09:57 PM
As a long time reader ( you were my first blog) I feel like I have watched Noah grow up. I am so proud of him! At his tender age, he gets it. Good job mom.
Posted by: Trish | January 30, 2017 at 10:12 PM
I'm not crying, you're crying...yes, the stamp. Well done mom.
Posted by: Claire Payne | January 30, 2017 at 10:15 PM
I love you, I love your family, I love your blog. That is all. :)
Posted by: Margaret | January 30, 2017 at 10:54 PM
I did not expect to be crying over a blogpost, but this is 2017. Please tell your boys that yes, you are entirely a part of history. Powerful stuff.
Posted by: Judy | January 31, 2017 at 12:37 AM
You have been blessed with a little ray of incredible sunshiney hope to get you through this dark period. It's simply amazing! He's amazing.
Posted by: Oonagh | January 31, 2017 at 12:58 AM
Add another tick mark to the tears column for me.
Posted by: Xat | January 31, 2017 at 02:11 AM
This is so much awesomeness. You are bringing up those boys so well. <3
Posted by: Jen | January 31, 2017 at 05:47 AM
Ow, my heart!! Noah is just the purest cinnamon roll and he will grow up to do something AMAZING someday. You and your family give me hope. ❤
Posted by: Kirstie | January 31, 2017 at 06:35 AM
He gets it. He really gets it.
Posted by: StatMom | January 31, 2017 at 07:52 AM
That pic of Ike with his mouth wide open looks exactly like the one of you at the top of your page :)
Posted by: Simone | January 31, 2017 at 07:56 AM
I'm not crying YOU'RE crying oh my God I can't.
You have the BEST family.
Posted by: Kay | January 31, 2017 at 10:11 AM
One of the best things I've read in my life.
Posted by: Lisa | January 31, 2017 at 10:52 AM
Seriously, tears flowing....what a beautiful day!
Posted by: Lisa | January 31, 2017 at 12:13 PM
What a wonderful post. I'm a lot more optimistic right now knowing that kids like Noah are our future.
Also, I <3 Bianca Del Rio.
Posted by: Kate | January 31, 2017 at 02:30 PM
So great to read this from the UK where we are just getting the news of the awful stuff he is doing and of our terrible PM cuddling up to him. So good to hear of the protests. We are protesting with you!
Posted by: Bee | January 31, 2017 at 02:35 PM
Yep. Tears. Noah, I have degrees in History and Political Science, and I am so proud of you and your love of this country. Keep fighting for us.
Posted by: Tiffany | January 31, 2017 at 04:12 PM
Blow us all away, Noah.
Posted by: Lori | January 31, 2017 at 04:32 PM
sent this along to all
my friends. So proud of you and your family.
Posted by: Lori E | January 31, 2017 at 05:27 PM
Tears. Simply made my heart swell with hope. Your family is awesome! --Fighting the fight over here in Utah, Emily
Posted by: Emily | January 31, 2017 at 05:28 PM
Way to go, Storches. Way to go.
Posted by: KImtoo | January 31, 2017 at 10:23 PM
The best. Thank you for protesting; and how can I not think that Noah is going to grow up to save us all!?
Posted by: Lindsay | January 31, 2017 at 11:03 PM
Oh man, I'm ugly crying. My boys also attended their first protest thanks to Trump. I both fear and hope that they will emerge from this 4 years thinking that protests are just a regular weekend family activity.
Posted by: Brittany | January 31, 2017 at 11:17 PM
Oh, man. I don't know that I've ever commented before, but I've been reading since Noah was just a wee thing. Such a great kiddo. Crying all sorts of good tears over here.
Posted by: Courtney | February 01, 2017 at 06:21 AM
I heart that security guard.
Posted by: Clare | February 01, 2017 at 09:01 AM
Good job.
Posted by: Helen | February 01, 2017 at 09:48 AM
That is awesome! The same thing happened to my family this weekend - while we were making breakfast, I saw on Facebook that a protest was planned at DFW airport. We scarfed down some pancakes and went to join in. It was both my and my husband's first protest. It was...surreal. But good. Hundreds of people were there. Our two year old daughter got a little anxious with all the yelling, but she was a champ the whole time. We finally had to leave at naptime, but we will definitely join in more protests.
Posted by: Jeffiner | February 01, 2017 at 11:21 AM
You are awesome!!!
Posted by: claudia gallegos ortegon | February 01, 2017 at 11:26 AM
This made me smile. :-)
Posted by: Andee | February 03, 2017 at 11:38 AM
Noah, you are my favorite person in the history of ever! <3 <3 <3
Posted by: Erica Hettwer | February 06, 2017 at 12:24 AM