Five young children sitting on a log in a forest, dressed in traditional European folk costumes of white blouses and blue and yellow dresses. They are smiling and holding small bouquets of flowers.

Swedish Heritage

My mom was born and raised in Sweden, and she's raised the five of us — me and my four siblings — the same way. We speak Swedish at home. We’re fortunate enough that every summer, we travel to Sweden, and every December, my mom's side of the family comes to us for Swedish Christmas, celebrated on the 24th.

My favorite tradition is Midsummer — the longest day of the year in Sweden, and the one my family takes seriously. We pick flowers and weave them into crowns, eat fresh potatoes, and dance around the midsommarstång. I spend the day cooking with my grandparents and asking them what it was like growing up in Ulricehamn.

Four girls and one boy sitting outdoors near boats with houses in the background, some children wearing traditional dresses, smiling and enjoying a sunny day.
A blue and yellow flag waving in the wind against a clear blue sky.