Her smile is one I will never forget.

It was April 2005, and my parents had just told my sister and I that before the end of the year, we’d be moving to Canada. My nine-year old imagination ran wild, picturing Canada as a bleak wilderness far from anything resembling civilization. How wrong I was.

Growing up in rural south-western England was an idyllic experience, and the prospect of leaving everything behind was very frightening. I’d have to say goodbye to all of my friends, extended family, and worst of all, our cats. Years later, I’d realize that my parents decision was the right one, but at the time I felt angry, confused and helpless. I was too young to truly understand the reasons for leaving this idyllic life, but old enough to dread its apparent end.

Seven painfully quick months passed, and the dreaded day came at last. From the window seat of the plane, I waved goodbye to the world in which I had lived all my young life. As our plane jolted into the foggy autumn sky, the finality of leaving this green and comforting land had set in.

That day was November 5th 2005

That day was November 5th 2005, and it will always be the dividing point of my life; between England and Canada.
Nine hours later, as we landed amidst a snowstorm in Calgary, my image of Canada being a bleak wilderness had seemed correct. While the sight of snow should’ve been very exciting to me at the time, (snow is a rare sight in south-western England) I distinctly remember being downright miserable.

After disembarking the plane with my family, we encountered a handful of very friendly Canadians wearing bizarre white hats and red vests. One of the volunteers, an older lady, greeted us with a beaming smile. “Welcome to Calgary”, she said warmly.

Maybe Canada wasn’t so bad after all.

PRESENT DAY

Over 11 years later, I look back on that day fondly. While my first years of my life in Canada had plenty of difficult changes and some rather confusing words, (what on earth is a “toque?”) this land has been wonderful to me. I’ve grown from a nine-year old boy into a soon-to-be 21 year old university student, and a proud Canadian citizen. I’m forever grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given in this wonderful country.  I have no intention of leaving Canada soon.

My life will always be made of two parts, yet these two parts are never in conflict with one another. I still feel as British as the day I left, yet just as Canadian as anyone else. And while I’ll sometimes think wistfully of the country of my birth, I’ll always feel at home here.

One day, I’d like to again meet the lady who greeted us so warmly at the arrivals gate on that fateful day. I would thank her, for her smile is one I will never forget.