Good for you! We have something in common. While not one as long as you, I registered as a democrat at 18 and voted for Carter in '76 . My college roommate was in love with Carter and I just listened to everything she said. Looking back, I was a dope.
But it get's better...I voted for Carter in '80 over Reagan. I was devastated when Carter lost. I was still a dope. After four years of Ronald Reagan, I changed parties and PROUDLY voted for him in '84. I haven't looked back. :)
I have stopped bashing "democrats" in general because I know some conservative ones who share many of the same values...( I even registered one to vote at our registration drive at church last week. I wanted to say, "don't you know where your party is heading?) It's the "liberals" that are destroying this country and they have taken over the democratic party and will destroy it. Better to get off the ship before it totally sinks.
The dems no longer welcome moderates. You have to be nearly a rabid lefty to be welcome there. Well, we knew our welcome was worn out...we left..and haven't looked back. We are repubs for life.