The Story of Per and Lilly (née Christensen) Falkenberg-Andersen
Strange Sounds
Per and Lilly's camping trip to Banff National Park was over. They drove to Per's uncle's farm at Dickson, where they would stay until the wedding. It was a small house, so Lilly slept on a bed in the garage. Per headed to the pumphouse.
That first night, Lilly heard strange sounds. Her imagination ran wild. Cougar, bear, or wolf––which was it? The sounds were so close, she didn't sleep a wink.
Lilly was right. The sounds were close. The next morning, their source was discovered. A young cat had given birth to her first litter of kittens under Lilly's bed!
Rules of Behaviour
Lilly was totally out of her element in this strange land, with its even stranger rules of behaviour. Per was no help at all. The social customs in northern mining camps were quite different from the ones in Dickson.
The couple attended a local picnic. In front of everyone, Per offered Lilly a cigarette and she accepted. As soon as she raised it to her lips, she sensed disapproval and knew. Women could smoke openly in Denmark but in Dickson––never!
Soon, Per learned something, too: if you like a drink now and then, that's your little secret. Keep it so: buy your liquor far away from Dickson.
Bridal Shower
Before the wedding, the local ladies gave Lilly a bridal shower, a custom new to Lilly. Afterwards, most of them went home but some stayed for dinner and a glass of wine. Suddenly a car pulled up. It was the school principal's car. The ladies' reacted quickly: Quick––hide the wine!
Bottle and glasses were swept away. Lilly––glass in hand––was shoved into the bathroom. Lock the door and stay there until the coast is clear!
The principal hadn't suspected a thing––or had he?
Adapted from the 2007 Heritage Book,with permission from the Federation of Danish Associations in Canada
More Immigrant Stories:
• Will Per and Lilly have a Danish or Canadian wedding? Find out in Wedding Plans
