WiNK

I shared this story with WiNK four years ago, just before Obama and Biden left office and Trump was sworn in as President. I believed then that Joe Biden would not run again, and that his very long political career was winding down. It was my farewell to a political leader and vice president that my family also knew as a person; and as a Delawarean, someone who had been in office my whole life up until Inauguration Day 2017. I was sad to see him go, as I felt a part of my childhood was going with him. But... he's back! And on Wednesday, he'll be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States - and when you read on, you'll see how I now (well, as of Wednesday) can FINALLY say, "the President of the United States saw me in my underoos."

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From WiNK, January 13, 2017

Sometimes, there are moments in life that you never forget. No matter what happens, or how old you get...

When I was six years old, my parents had friends over for dinner at our house in Wilmington, Delaware -- a young Delaware Senator, Joe Biden, and his wife Jill. When it was time for my sister and I to go to bed, we came downstairs to say goodnight. Back then, there was something called Underoos that were very popular for kids - they were underwear that looked like Superheros' outfits, and we wore them like pajamas. I had Wonder Woman Underoos, which I changed into at bedtime, and I was wearing them when I came downstairs to say goodnight to my parents and their guests. The adults got a laugh out of my attire, and my dad made the comment that has stuck with me ever since - "Never forget this moment, because one day, you might be able to say that the President of the United States saw you in your Underoos." Thankfully, I have never forgotten that moment.

You might be wondering why Joe Biden was at my house for dinner. My parents have a long history with the Bidens. My dad actually moved us from Wilmington when my sister and I were very little, to Washington, DC, to work for Biden during his first term in the Senate. We lived there for two years, and then made our way back home to Delaware, which was also the Bidens' home, even though he worked primarily in DC. My dad was always friends with Joe and we used to go to pool parties at their house. I remember his sons when they were kids (his boys were a few years older than me), teenagers, and adults; I have met his grandchildren. My childhood friend married Beau Biden -- her mom and my mom went to high school together and remain very close friends. In a very sad turn of events, my dad attended Beau's funeral last summer.

Joe and my dad look alike, so that's always been a running joke in our house. When I was inducted into my college sports Hall of Fame in 2011, I received a letter from Joe and Jill Biden congratulating me. My dad happened to have lunch with Joe's best friend, and as any proud dad would, he mentioned my pending induction. A few weeks later, the letter arrived in my mailbox.

My family has always liked the Bidens very much, and have enjoyed and supported Joe's politic rise, and we were all thrilled to see him become Vice President.

This week, it comes to an end. I cried my eyes out when I watched President Obama pay tribute to Joe, "Delaware's favorite son," in his farewell address on Tuesday night; and then again yesterday, watching him receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. As a Delawarean, Joe has been in office for as long as I can remember, and I'm very sad to see him go. After more than 35 years, I am still amazed at how my dad's prediction that night was only a heartbeat away.

So when your parents say to you, "remember this moment," remember it -- you just never know.

Photos:

My dad and Joe; My niece Sophie with his arm around her at her basketball game in Wilmington. He was there watching his granddaughter play; the letter I received when I was inducted into Dickinson's Hall of Fame ("Ted" is my dad's good friend); Underoos ad, circa 1980