Washington, D.C. and the hallways of Congress were alive with a historic spirit on Sunday, as thousands of Americans made their way to the nation's capital for the second Inaugural of President Barack Obama.
"My father keeps calling me every ten minutes, he says he's looking for us on TV," said a beaming Alieizor Redd of Ellenwood, Georgia, who had just picked up her tickets a few minutes earlier.
"I've been to D.C. before, but it just meant something special this time around," said Redd, who admitted she regretted not going to the first Obama Inaugural in 2009.
That was a sentiment I heard several times as I walked the halls of the Congressional office buildings on Sunday, as people picked up their tickets for Monday's Inauguration.
"It will be fun no matter where you're at," one man said to his friends and they opened up their Inaugural packets.
The hallways were filled with all kinds of smiling people, as they took pictures with just about anything and anyone, all thrilled to be there.
"It's a coming together for the whole country," said Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL), who got to see the fun as he walked down the hallway pulling his roller bag after arriving back in Washington, D.C.
"We're celebrating democracy," Grayson added.
That was obvious as you went door to door - the line of waiting constituents outside the office of Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA), not exactly an Obama supporter - a smiling Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), greeting folks from back home in the Bluegrass State who probably didn't vote for him but were getting a ticket for the big show, and more.
Even the office of Rep. Steve Stockman (R-TX) was wide open for business on Sunday to hand out tickets - just a few days ago, Stockman was threatening to impeach the President over executive orders related to gun control.
"it's an incredible tradition of this country," said Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), who also likened the Inauguration to a celebration of what the U.S. is all about.
"We've gotten thousands of requests," for tickets, Brown said, after he greeted some Ohio residents lucky enough to win the ticket lottery.
Outside the Capitol, it was almost a carnival type of atmosphere on a gorgeous January day, as the final security preparations were set in place while tourists took in the sights and snapped an endless string of pictures.
"Obama!" shouted one group taking a photo, substituting the President's name for the word "Cheese!"
About 800,000 people are expected to watch the President's speech, and the re-enactment of his swearing-in, which was done on Sunday, the first time since Ronald Reagan's second Inaugural also fell on a Sunday.
This time, the swearing-in went off without a hitch, as Chief Justice John Roberts used an index card to make sure he didn't muff the oath of office, which was mangled four years ago by Roberts and President Obama.
In 2009, the President took office facing a troubled economy; today he returns to the West Front of the Capitol with continued economic concerns and no evidence that the political battles over his administration will ebb any time soon.
It may be a speech that is filled more with lofty rhetoric than specifics about what he wants to do, but some wonder if he will sprinkle in some important issues, and then reinforce those in his State of the Union Address, which will be delivered on February 12.
The moment was not lost on those who were keeping a tight hold on their Inaugural tickets.
"This is really, really awesome," said Kentalyn Green of Orange Park, Florida, whose grandmother came four years ago and was back this time as well.
"And to be able to share it with my daughter, and share it with my children, even better," said Green.
