Scandinavian Hearts Visits Seattle City Hall
Scandinavian Hearts visits Seattle City Hall with Bergen’s Mayor Marit Warncke, sharing culture, heritage, and connection through storytelling and family tradition.
Last week was a truly special milestone for Scandinavian Hearts — one that beautifully blended community, heritage, and connection. We had the honor of visiting Seattle City Hall with the delegates from Bergen, Norway, including their Mayor, Marit Warncke.
It was an unforgettable experience to see two cities, Seattle and Bergen, come together to celebrate their shared history, creativity, and innovation. As part of the Seattle–Bergen Sister Cities program, we were invited to participate in a meeting that celebrated the deep cultural and historical ties between these two coastal communities.
For me, it was both a professional and personal honor. To stand inside Seattle City Hall, surrounded by leaders, innovators, and visionaries from Norway, and to share a piece of our story through my book Anna and the Scandinavian Hearts, it felt surreal. The moment I presented the book to Mayor Warncke was emotional. This story, which began around my own kitchen table as a way to help families celebrate Scandinavian traditions, had found its way back to Norway itself.
Honoring Norwegian Roots and Sharing Heritage
Growing up with Norwegian roots, I’ve always felt a deep connection to the traditions, stories, and values that shaped my family and community. What began as a creative project to share that heritage with my children has blossomed into something much bigger, a way to connect families and communities across the world through storytelling, symbols, and Scandinavian design.
Each product we create at Scandinavian Hearts, whether it’s a handmade wooden heart, a festive ribbon, or a beautifully illustrated children’s book, carries the essence of what it means to honor your roots while living in the present.
So, when I had the chance to gift Anna and the Scandinavian Hearts to the Mayor of Bergen, I wasn’t just handing over a book, I was sharing a piece of family history, creativity, and love. Bergen is not only a breathtaking city in Norway; it’s also a place that holds special meaning for my family’s story. To see our book connect Seattle to Bergen in this symbolic way was deeply fulfilling.
A Special Experience at Seattle City Hall
Our visit to Seattle City Hall was made even more memorable thanks to Councilmember Dan Strauss, who graciously hosted us and led a personal tour. He shared fascinating insights about the architecture of City Hall, the history of the City of Seattle, and how the city continues to strengthen its international relationships.
Walking through those halls, learning about civic engagement and leadership, and feeling the energy of the city’s heartbeat was truly inspiring, not only for me but especially for my 12-year-old son, who joined me on this special day.
As a parent, moments like this are everything. To see his eyes light up as he listened, learned, and asked questions reminded me why I started Scandinavian Hearts in the first place, to create opportunities for families to connect through stories, experiences, and meaningful traditions.
It was incredible to watch him shake hands with city officials, listen to Council Member Strauss describe Seattle’s connection with Bergen, and experience firsthand what cultural exchange and diplomacy look like. For him, this wasn’t just a day off school, it was a lesson in heritage, history, and community leadership that I know he’ll remember for years to come.
Bridging Generations Through Storytelling
One of the core values behind Scandinavian Hearts is the belief that traditions only stay alive when they’re shared. My books, products, and designs are created with the intention of sparking meaningful conversations between generations, between parents, grandparents, and children, so that heritage becomes more than just a memory; it becomes a living story.
Our book Anna and the Scandinavian Hearts is part of a series that celebrates Norwegian and Scandinavian traditions, teaching children about symbols like the woven heart, the Dala horse, and the beautiful patterns of rosemaling. Each story includes activities and conversation starters to help families not only learn about these traditions but also live them, by creating, crafting, and making memories together.
To see this same book now traveling across the world, reaching classrooms in Norway and connecting with the Mayor of Bergen, is proof that storytelling can truly transcend borders.
A Day to Remember
As we stood together, the delegates from Bergen, local members of the Seattle Sister Cities of Bergen, and City Councilmember Dan Strauss, I felt such a sense of gratitude. Gratitude for the journey that led me here, for the people who have supported this mission, and for the opportunity to represent a community that values heritage, creativity, and connection.
This day was about more than just a meeting; it was about building bridges, between cities, between cultures, and between generations. It was about showing my son that when you follow your passion and lead with heart, incredible things can happen.
Keeping the Spirit Alive
At Scandinavian Hearts, our mission is to keep the rich Scandinavian heritage of Ballard and the Pacific Northwest alive through meaningful storytelling, design, and connection. Whether it’s through our children’s books, handmade ornaments, or timeless Scandinavian décor, we hope to inspire others to embrace their own traditions and share them with the next generation.
This visit to Seattle City Hall with the Bergen, Norway delegation was a powerful reminder that when we stay true to our roots, we can connect the world in the most unexpected and heartwarming ways.
I’m deeply thankful to the City of Seattle, Councilmember Dan Strauss, Mayor Marit Warncke, and the Seattle–Bergen Sister Cities Association for this unforgettable experience. It’s a moment that embodies exactly what Scandinavian Hearts stands for — connection, community, and culture — woven together, heart by heart.