"Oh," thinking about it for a second or two, "OK," I agreed enthusiastically. I was optimistic about the relationship and this raised-outside-of-NY-City girl could deal with anything.
As an aside, that picture is the Canadian flag reflected in the windows of the vehicle next to us on the soon-to-be-defunct free Albion Ferry (Maple Ridge to Fort Langley, BC). They've built a toll bridge to replace it. Go figure. I'm sad about it.
We weighed our worldly goods knowing that it would cost fifty cents a pound to transport them the 1749 miles from Omaha. Heavy, small, sentimental items accompanied us in our car.We crossed the border as permanent residents 25 years ago on Friday. Nearly half a lifetime ago.
Well, the anything, referred to above, included a bear trap on our road, long distance calls if the police were needed and church services provided by a travelling minister. We heated our house with wood and back then the nearest grocery store was a half hour away. We couldn't go food shopping without a carsick child. Those twisty roads have now been straightened somewhat in time for the upcoming Winter Olympics.
You wouldn't think a move across the border to an English speaking country would be any big deal. I was homesick for months and once had an irrational meltdown trying to convert gallons
to litres, Canadian dollars to American, and miles to kilometres. Silly me. It wasn't about the math.
Back then there was huge anti-American sentiment and being an invisible minority was disconcerting. You wouldn't believe the ignorant comments about "those Americans" without the realization that one might be in their midst. I had practice though, from my childhood, when people would talk about those Puerto Ricans, not knowing it was half my heritage.
Little by little things got better. I found a job and populated the country with two more little Canadian/Americans. The country warmed to Bill Clinton's America. In the beginning I didn't feel like I belonged here. Then there were some rocky times where I didn't feel like I belonged in the US. But now I've found a place for my dual nationality and Bob's your uncle, eh? Remember when I wrote about that?
Now it's double my pleasure. I get teary when hearing either anthem, both flags inspire me. I like poutine as much as Nathan's Famous frankfurters, junk foods at their best. We share in the sadness of all North American soldiers lost, too many these days. I have three children who have the luxury of working in two countries without the barriers of immigration. And I'm still with that guy, although after four years, I made him move closer to the city - the one that's regularly voted the most livable in the world.
Back then there was huge anti-American sentiment and being an invisible minority was disconcerting. You wouldn't believe the ignorant comments about "those Americans" without the realization that one might be in their midst. I had practice though, from my childhood, when people would talk about those Puerto Ricans, not knowing it was half my heritage.
Little by little things got better. I found a job and populated the country with two more little Canadian/Americans. The country warmed to Bill Clinton's America. In the beginning I didn't feel like I belonged here. Then there were some rocky times where I didn't feel like I belonged in the US. But now I've found a place for my dual nationality and Bob's your uncle, eh? Remember when I wrote about that?
Now it's double my pleasure. I get teary when hearing either anthem, both flags inspire me. I like poutine as much as Nathan's Famous frankfurters, junk foods at their best. We share in the sadness of all North American soldiers lost, too many these days. I have three children who have the luxury of working in two countries without the barriers of immigration. And I'm still with that guy, although after four years, I made him move closer to the city - the one that's regularly voted the most livable in the world.
The immigrants:
The only complaint I have is when you send recipes ( ricotta cheesecake) from Canada please send it in American.... I don't do metric : )
Posted by: Jane Toumpas | June 24, 2009 at 08:20 AM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Suzanne (Yarnhog) | June 24, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Nice post! Even brought a tear to my eye. After 14 years, I'm still hoping this is temporary.
Posted by: Marina | June 24, 2009 at 03:26 PM
Congratulations. It appears that you made all the right decisions since you are still going strong after 25 years.
Posted by: Kristen | June 24, 2009 at 05:55 PM
Well you couldn't live in a more beautiful place. I'd love to live north of the border, although I must admit its simply for the weather! I need more cold weather and less hot weather!
Posted by: Rebekah | June 24, 2009 at 06:08 PM
What a great story - and as you know, I am going at it from the opposite end of the spectrum - a girl *from* the Vancouver area who married an American and moved to the East Coast.
Incidentally, I miss Coffee Crisps, Aero bars, Tim Hortons anything, and Boston Pizza (which, oddly enough, I've never seen here in the US).
Posted by: Jo | June 24, 2009 at 06:50 PM
First, congratulations on your 25th Anniversary!
Poutine is a food I never knew about.
Is it true that diet type foods are a rarity in Canada?
Ps. How is your Gracee doing? Very well I hope.
Posted by: Lacy | June 24, 2009 at 10:48 PM
A beautiful story. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Posted by: Carole | June 25, 2009 at 05:12 AM
Wow, you know, I'll be 25 years in Canada from Germany in January 2010. Well, the Albion Ferry... hmmm... to us the new bridge means that we can visit my parents with less than a 20 minute drive instead of, often, and hour long drive around the Port Mann or a long weight at the ferry. It's a huge deal for us because now, if the kidlets are sick, we have an option when it's last minute in the morning whereas before, it was a huge ordeal. Yes, I'll miss that darn old ferry but the new, even if it costs us some money, is good for us.
Posted by: Uli | June 25, 2009 at 11:12 AM
I was overtaken by a wave of nostalgia while reading about your 25th anniversary. My husband and I emigrated from the US to Nova Scotia almost 32 years ago. I am still struck by homesickness on US Thanksgiving and Election Day. I used to be affected by Patriots' Day (April 19 in Massachusetts and some other eastern states) but realized that this year it passed without any notice on my part. This year I am celebrating Canada Day with friends and then flying to the Idaho for a bike trip on July 4. I expect to get a little weepy as I think about 4th of July celebrations of my youth.
Posted by: Chris Nielsen | June 28, 2009 at 03:54 AM
Hi, I enjoyed this post. And please, i'd love a copy of the herringbone scarf. Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: mitchypoo | July 01, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Lovely post, I recognise those feelings. Moved to Britain from Holland 14 years ago and often feel as if I have one leg here and one leg in the other country. On a bad day, I don't feel Dutch or British. On a good day, I feel home in both countries. I don't think that will ever change, but I don't mind, as long as the good days outnumber the bad ones!
Posted by: Cybèle de Jong | July 15, 2009 at 04:36 AM