A Love Story (cont.)

The do-or-die approach to their relationship that Beth and Walter took by moving in together just a week after their first date proved to foreshadow the rest of their relationship. Nothing was done without full commitment, although some things were done without full forethought.

Their adventure began by reading a book on living the back-to-the-land lifestyle that resonated with Walter's growing beliefs to his very core. It took them across the country in a Volkswagon van. We catch up to them as they are sitting at the side of the road, parked. Please note that they are not broken down. Rather, the van is not broken down. Beth is definitely broken down.

She is sobbing on Walter's shoulder. He is doing his best to calm his beloved. This is a challenge. She is tired, is pregnant, is homesick, and has just discovered that they back-to-the-land utopia that they trekked thousands of kilometers to move to has been turned from a valley into a lake thanks to BC Hydro. There is nowhere to go.

Walter scans the area, looking for some hope to offer his desolate bride. On the other side of the road is a construction site. A partially framed house is bustling with a work crew. One of the workers stops work and looks at the van.

"Uh-oh! Hard hats," thinks Walter, "This can't be good."

Hard hats (construction workers) and Hippies are not on the best terms. Hard hats are part of the system. Hippies are counter-culture. They don't play nicely together.

Walter quietly locks the doors and continues to pat Beth's back.

He watches the Hard Hat stop working, walk across the second floor (such as it was), climb down the ladder, cross the main floor, stride across the lot and onto the road.

Walter keeps his eyes on his wife's head and soothes a little more.

Knock! Knock! A rap at the van window.

Carefully Walter lowers the window a scant few inches anticipating a hard time about parking on the side of the road and the irresponsibility of hippies.

"You folks look like you need a hand. Can I help?" asks the Hard Hat.

It turns out the Hard Hat was a Hippie with a day job. He lived in a huge rambling farmhouse with another couple, who were moving out the day and heading south. He had space for Beth and Walter to come and stay while they figured out what to do with their shattered dreams.

They stayed for several months until they needed to find a place of their own due to the impending arrival of Emily. Hard Hat helped them find a new home.

Walter also ended up buying his own hard hat for his day job. And he wore it to work every day for almost twenty years.

When LK and I moved north, the adjustment period was challenging. There were many nights where I called my parents and cried over the phone about my homesick feelings and lost relationships. They were both incredibly patient and compassionate about the adjustment. One night my dad shared this story of their own adventure with me. It was the first time I had heard this family story. It is now one of my favourites.