We normally spend Canada Day at our home in Port Coquitlam. There is a fun day at the park, tons of vendors, community performances, music, dancing and then at nighttime it ends with a big bang and we have a beautiful celebration of fireworks.

This year, we wanted to spend it with our new, small town

When we decided to move I wanted a community. I wanted to know more neighbours and by their first names. I wanted to set down roots and feel like we belong. With acreages, your neighbours are a lot further away then when you live in a condo or in the suburbs.

This Canada Day started off with a parade. We sat with our neighbour and her daughter and watched the very entertaining parade. I’m not sure if there were more of us watching or more of us in the actual parade! First came the fire engines, and I can’t remember the order, but there were classic cars, farm equipment, people on bikes, floats of local companies, girls dressed up in old-fashioned clothes and more. It was a hoot–everyone was having a blast and our kids were having so much fun collecting all the candies that were thrown near them.

After the parade, they judged the contestants and awarded trophies. Next, came the barbecue with hot dogs and cheeseburgers and all the fixings. This was a great time to make connections with the neighbours that we have not yet met. So many have lived in the Columbia Valley for their whole lives. Through these new connections I was finally able to get my hands on a book about the area (which I will write about later) but so excited about! The history here is extremely rich and everyone is so nice.

After lunch they had the derby races and kids as young as four went down the hill. This was so fun to watch and full of applause and laughter. Connor wanted to go down the hill so very badly…next year!

I am feeling so lucky that we have found this amazing place. I feel like I will belong somewhere. I’m excited for Christmas and Christmas lights and pumpkins and Halloween. Ironically, when I lived in a city condo surrounded by people I never felt like I truly met anyone. In our short time in the Columbia Valley I’ve already made many meaningful connections and I’m sure I will have friends that I will treasure for a lifetime.

Becky

Becky is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Landscape & Production Horticulturist, Arborist and budding Herbalist, who recognizes and specializes in the link between healthy soil, the gut and the brain. She also loves being the mom to her two wild and crazy kids Brooke & Connor whom keep her and her ever loving, creative husband Jay on their toes.