The Story of Per and Lilly (née Christensen) Falkenberg-Andersen
The Dinner
Per and Lilly wanted a real Danish wedding and reception. There would be a nice dinner, with sherry, wine and a traditional Danish wedding cake.
A bachelor friend offered his house. There was room for about thirty guests. They'd make tables from sawhorses and plywood.
Lilly fretted a bit about the wine but an elderly lady advised her to Do as you would in Denmark––and quit worrying.
Morning Gift
Per had never heard of a morning gift but he surely loved Lilly. They drove to Innisfail so she could pick out something special. How about some pearls—real ones?
Lilly loved pearls but she loved Per even more. So she didn't like the ones at the jeweller's and suggested looking at the "Five and Dime" store. There, she found a perfectly beautiful set of pearls for a perfectly reasonable price.
The pearls looked real but the clasp was cheap. She said, The clasp will be hidden under my collar. These pearls will be just fine for now. Besides, we're the only ones who know they aren't real.
Lilly surely loved Per. And she wouldn't trade those pearls––for anything.
Keeping Up Appearances
Lilly would wear her blue graduation dress to the wedding. But she had a dilemma. She wanted a small lace veil but could only find plain veiling. Idea: her slip had a pretty lace edge. She unstitched the lace and trimmed her plain veil with it. She'd sew it back on the slip afterwards.
Per had a dilemma too—the worn-down heels on his shoes. Lilly told him not to kneel during the ceremony, or everyone would notice. But Per knew it was disrespectful not to kneel. Idea: he had a sharp knife. He cut an angled slice off each heel. Now they were straight.
Adapted from the 2007 Heritage Book,with permission from the Federation of Danish Associations in Canada
More Immigrant Stories:
• Read all about Per and Lilly's wedding
