Spending Christmas together on P.E.I. is a dream come true for Amy Tian’s family.
The Chinese family, which consists of Tian, her husband Flaming Jia and their nine-year-old daughter Jamie, has been re-united in P.E.I. after living on different continents for the past three years.
Tian and her daughter came to P.E.I. in September 2014 so the mother could pursue her education, with Jia having to remain in China at the time.
It meant being apart for three Christmases, a time of year which many, including Tian, like to be surrounded by family.
She recalled talking to her husband on the phone last Christmas.
“We talked over the phone for two or three hours. My daughter, she cried and said ‘Daddy, I miss you’,” Tian said while sharing the family’s story during the P.E.I. Association for Newcomers to Canada’s (P.E.I. ANC) Christmas Open House at the Confederation Centre of the Arts Tuesday night. “I told her ‘I promise you one day daddy will be here and we’ll be together finally’. And now we’ve realized our dream, we feel super happy about that.”
Jia, who arrived to P.E.I. in August after Tian received permanent residency, said this Christmas would be special for the family.
“I’m very happy to be with my wife and my daughter in P.E.I.,” he said.
Jamie agreed and said Christmas was not the same without her dad.
“It feels great, my family is finally here. I love my mom and dad,” she said “This Christmas is very special because we can have turkey together.”
During the couple’s time apart, Tian and her daughter found camaraderie within the P.E.I. community.
While she was working towards her master of education degree at UPEI, as well as spending her weekends studying for an early childhood education certificate at Holland College, Tian was also making new friends on P.E.I. and volunteering with the P.E.I. ANC.
“I’ve had a lot of social support in P.E.I.,” said Tian, who has since earned her degree and certificate.
Last month, Tian started a new job with the P.E.I. ANC where she’ll help other newcomers entering the province.
“(The association) means a lot to our newcomers,” said Tian. “I feel so thankful for this organization.”
While Christmas can be celebrated in China, Tian said the tradition is very different when compared to North American festivities.
“It’s totally different in China, especially with the younger generations. They love to have big parties, they love to have a crazy shopping time,” she said. “But here, Christmas means being together being with your family and making your home full of love and full of care, that’s what Christmas means.”
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The Guardian’s I Believe series, which will be published both in print and online between now and Christmas, will include inspirational and uplifting stories to get us in the holiday spirit. If you have a story that you believe should be part of the I Believe series, please email [email protected].
Other stories in the I Believe series:
I BELIEVE: Children of inmates at P.E.I. jail get presents for Christmas
I BELIEVE: No shortage of support for international community on the Island over the holidays
I BELIEVE: Summerside boy has wish granted, spends a week in Los Angeles
I BELIEVE: Musical Christmas lights display up and running in Indian River
I BELIEVE: Boy on P.E.I. bringing joy to children, buying gifts for Islanders in need
