I recently stumbled onto the Connect2Canada site and I am happy I did! Originally from London, Ontario, I now reside in Minnesota with my American husband. To make a long story short, we met in Mexico, dated long distance, I moved to Minnesota and we got married. I miss Canada and everything it represents to me every day. From my awesome family and friends to Timmies, Smarties, my Habs, Swiss Chalet... I could go on and on! I never pass a chance to let people know how amazing Canada is and am grateful that "I AM CANADIAN!"

angela w., andover MN
April 26, 2007
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If home is where the heart is then my heart resides in Canada. If home is where you belong then for me it is in Canada and in Washington State. Funny how my heart beats a little bit faster when I see Newfoundland on my flights back to the states from Europe. I point out to my passengers exactly where we are and tell them about things to do in the different provinces. They ask me if I'm Canadian and I say "No, I just fell in love with one." My homesick Canadian wants to return to the Northumberland Hills. I'll be there to contribute to your wonderful country.

Steve S., Seattle WA, Ontario
April 19, 2007
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Hello there! I'm from Vancouver, BC and came to Southern California with my truck and my dog in Sept 2005 to get to know my long-term long-distance boyfriend Jeff better.

I came down here on a leave of absence from my job in the pet industry with the intention of going home after 3 months, and we fell very seriously in love, started looking into immigration options and eventually found an immigration lawyer here in Orange County to walk us through the process.

We had a very small marriage ceremony with his immediate family and my parents. It was very short-notice and nobody else could fly down from Vancouver, but it was beautiful. My mom has been coming down every 4 months or so and brings a care package of Smarties, Ketchup Chips and Purdy's Chocolate Peanut Butter Fingers!

I recently got a notice stating that I have been approved for my permanent residency, and once I receive that card - trust me - I will be on a trip home to see everyone for a wonderful visit!

My hobbies down here are photography, hiking with my hubby and dog, going to the beach to watch dolphins play in the waves, and watching tv shows and movies that are filmed in Vancouver of course!

I would love to meet any other Canadians!

Christy H., Mission Viejo CA, British Columbia
April 11, 2007
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I moved to Boston to work in 2000, then moved out to Utah over two years ago. Utah is a strange dichotomy of incredible outdoor adventures and conservative culture. I love riding my bike up in the mountains and in beautiful southern Utah. I love the parks, the Wylie Coyote terrain, and the close proximity of hiking, skiing, and biking. At work it is interesting being the only Canadian Conservative, vegetarian and universal health care supporter. However, Utah is still a place with room for everyone, and when you ride your bike up to the top of the Crest Trail and look down on Salt Lake City and Park City at the same time, things really can't get any better! I try and give a Canada Day party every year, and wear my Canada jersey with pride! I am an engineer who works at a local water treatment company. If anyone is in Salt Lake, let's get together for Canada Day!

Anne B., Salt Lake City UT, Ontario
April 11, 2007
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So glad I found this website and this forum for all of us Canadians to share our stories. I got a TN visa and worked in Reno for 3 years. Then, I met my future husband who is a native San Franciscan. We married and now I am a Permanent Resident. I miss living in Canada a lot although I am settled here in California now. My heart will always belong to Canada. I miss the fresh, clean air, the mountains and the water. Why did I ever take all these things for granted? Oh and medical insurance in BC is very affordable. Ah, and the food - I miss my Oh Henrys, Maltesers, sausage rolls and good, strong tea with milk, not lemon.

Audri W., Lincoln CA, British Columbia
April 4, 2007
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We moved to Germantown, Tennessee (suburb of Memphis) so my husband could practice interventional cardiology. We still have a cabin just south of Vancouver (Point Roberts, WA, actually) where we spend our summers. We enjoy the weather, taxes, and price of housing here.

We do miss the mountains, the ocean and of course, Tim Hortons. We get a regular dose of Peter Mansbridge on our Canadian Satellite Dish (bought in Canada - it gets Rick Mercer and the Trailer Park boys just fine!)

There seem to be a lot of Canadians around, and we have a group of Canadian women who go for lunch regularly. It's nice to talk to other people who can answer the 3 following questions correctly. 1. Who is the Prime Minister? 2. What is the Capital? 3. How many provinces and territories are there?

We are probably here until at least retirement, although our three sons, who range from 1st grade to 9th grade, consider themselves American.

frances e., germantown TN, British Columbia
March 28, 2007
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Born and bred in Toronto, I studied Engineering at U of T. In 2001, my wife and I moved to Monterey County to work for a credit card company. A year ago, I began working at eBay as a computer programmer and am loving it. Weather here is fantastic as I have definitely adjusted to the warm climate in the Bay area.

We travel back to the Toronto area every Christmas and summer holiday. Miss Swiss Chalet, Harvey's, Kit Kats, ketchup chips, the Leafs and most of all family and friends. Don't miss the Don Valley parking lot. Don't have any regrets about leaving the Great White North except for leaving friends and family behind. And as the famous commercial chants: I am Canadian.

richard y., san jose CA, Ontario
March 22, 2007
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When my lovely wife and I decided to marry almost 5 years ago we had to decide who was to move where. She lived here in Texas and I in Southern Ontario and after 2 years of monthly travel, we were ready to be together always! Circumstances made it better that I move and we were wed a month later.

I am now a permanent resident and have a great job with the University of North Texas. I miss not seeing my family as often as I would like and living on the water, as well as Timmies and other Canadian treats. However, I don't miss the cold winters. I go back to my hometown every summer.

I am now blessed to have two homes, Canada and Texas! But most of all I am blessed to spend the rest of my life with the most loving, beautiful woman in the world!

Bruce T., Denton TX, Ontario
March 22, 2007
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We moved to Ann Arbor in 2003, just as my youngest daughter "flew the coop" and landed at Mount Allison University in NB. Due to restrictions of our visa, I don't work - a luxury that allows me to spend the entire summer at our cottage on an island in McGregor Bay, part of Georgian Bay, a little piece of paradise, and to travel back to Ottawa to see family and friends. My husband works for the University of Michigan as a research scientist in transportation. We love Ann Arbor - a vibrant, small city thanks to having two major universities in its locale. We are grateful for the opportunity that U of M has offered us... a chance to "get to know Americans"! I hope to be able to visit all 50 states before we move back to Canada for our retirement.

Gillian W., Ann Arbor MI, Ontario
March 14, 2007
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I moved to the States in 1975 as a teenager, from Halifax to Virginia Beach, VA. My parents retired there. I'm now married, have a successful career as a software engineer, and with three children and living a happy life in New Hampshire. We spend almost every summer in Canada. My 18-year-old has been to every province except Newfoundland. I never took out US Citizenship - I love Canada and always will.

We are actually thinking of returning to Canada -- to PEI which we love dearly. If I work out the logistics, we will hopefully spend the rest of our lives enjoying PEI with fond memories and visits to family and friends in the States.

Gerry H., Greenfield NH, Nova Scotia
March 1, 2007
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