I have never felt so proud to be personally witnessing history, so proud to be a part of a movement larger than myself, so proud to be American.

Today, I stood in front of the Supreme Court of the United States with fellow Human Rights Campaign interns, law fellows and staff, and several hundred more supporters. We waited nervously for over an hour gathered together discussing, chanting and taking pictures. Beginning at 9:45, we cheered every five minutes leading up to the decision.

Unfortunately, there was no spokesperson announcing the decisions; so even though we were on site, we received updates from the SCOTUS blog and Twitter. Once we received word of the DOMA decision via smartphone, we screamed, jumped, and cried in complete joy.

For me, the tears came when two women emerged from the Court house walking down the steps with their hands held together and raised above their heads. This beautiful moment signifies the true freedom and marriage equality SCOTUS gave to gay couples on a federal level. For me, seeing their unity, love, and happiness was more powerful than chanting “DOMA is dead!”

Back at the HRC headquarters, all members of the HRC team gathered to take a photo holding various props, such as the red HRC equality cube. When asked “Who’s from California?!” I exclaimed and stepped forward with four other interns and staff members for the honor of holding the California flag for the official HRC photo, which represents the Proposition 8 victory.  I have never felt so proud to be Californian.

Standing on the steps of the Supreme Court of the United States while being a part of this incredible movement and personally witnessing such a tremendous victory for our country and California, I realized this could only be experienced in Washington, D.C. After today’s adventure, I feel blessed, empowered and incredibly proud.

Moriah is a rising senior majoring in hospitality administration at the University of San Francisco. She is interning with the Human Rights Campaign.