So, where are you from?

 

It’s a common enough question, “so where are you from,” that it makes me wonder if we have  imaginary signs above our heads that read “newly transplanted.”  Shiny, and glowing in our faces, the wonder of living up here must be easily seen by all the long timers we run into during our travels. 

It’s one of the first questions we get while changing address’s at the bank, the post office, the insurance agent, and shopping at the grocery store.  “Where are you from.”  Seems very few people are actually from up here.

I have lost count of the people we know are from the coast, but can count on one hand the one’s I have met that originate here.  So far I’ve met a grand total of 4, born and raised in this small part of the world. Seems the first thing to do is leave, and never look back.

But the rest of us are slowly making our way up here, some arriving decades ago and now considering themselves Okanagener’s.  Here to stay, never to think of living some where else.  Pretty amazing for a small part of the country where the jobs are scarce.

Most of the welcomes are friendly, but there have been a few subtle ones that made us feel as if we have to prove ourselves first, and then the welcome mat will be thrown onto the floor.  Change is inevitable, and the influx of new people that happened over 20 years ago still smarts for some old timers. 

I guess we should expect that, after all we are new, but it doesn’t feel like we are new here since we have been visiting so much over the years.

All in all, it’s a friendly welcoming community that says to transplants, hey we are glad you decided to come and live here. 

And so are we.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams