As long as I’ve been studying Canada and its history, I’ve been taught about its infamously tenuous identity. How a sense of solidarity and unification has been sacrificed in favour of diversity and inclusion. How defining itself by its lack of singular identity was paradoxical and impossible. And those lessons always stuck with me, to some extent. I truly believed that the sacrifice had been made and there was no going back. I was taught to not take our country seriously. I mean, really, our national animal is the beaver. A flat-tailed rodent?

But no longer. In the past weeks I have seen more Canadian pride demonstrated in the streets of Vancouver than in the rest of my life put together. And it’s not just the athletes who benefit from this astonishing show of support. It manifested itself in the shop windows on Robson, fluttered on the backs of cars down Granville, and was displayed without shame on the crowns, necks, backs and warm hands of Vancouverites everywhere. We all enjoyed and embraced it.

So what does this sudden, unexpected and arguably unprecedented shift in the strength of Canada’s national feeling mean? Have we finally embraced our country for what it is, stripped away our masks of modest politeness and overcome the paradox?

The Opening Ceremonies certainly seemed to demonstrate as much. I saw absolutely no lack of identity there. Despite being a young country (seven years away from our 150th birthday—we’re practically still teething), there seems to be no lack of history, of culture, of belonging. Yes, it is diverse. But it also works. There is cohesiveness.

We are experienced in the ways of settling in, not just in the land, but in the people as well. And we have found ways to make it work. That can be seen in the abundance of maple-leafed flags decorating every manner of doorstep and sweater-wearer. We are the bearers of that message.

And I have come to realize that the beaver really is a proud and noble creature. After all, what other country can claim to have a national animal that can take down several trees in a single day using only its teeth? I dare you to name even one aside from our humble beaver.

What remains to be seen is whether this newfound national pride will persist now that the Games are over, or if it will simply fade into the wilderness with the imported snow.

So put on your red mittens and look out for falling trees, boys and girls. You’re in Canada now.