Does Sweden remind you of Nashville in any way?
“The people, yes, same thing, I think the communities are both so warm. The people are really caring, they look out for each other, and I find that to be the same in Nashville and Sweden as a whole. So I’d say in that aspect, yes, the people are very similar.”
What’s the biggest cultural difference you see between Nashville and Stockholm?
“Maybe not in particularly Nashville, but I think Americans in general are more out there, you know? We’re more bubbly and can kind of come on a little stronger. I’ve learned that sometimes my personality comes off a little strong in this culture. But the Swedes are so fun. It’s just you have to kind of get to know them and then they kind of let you in.”
What do you miss most about Nashville when you’re here in Sweden?
“I try not to do that. When I’m in Nashville, we’re in Nashville and we’re loving our time there and eating the foods there. When we’re in Sweden, we’re just loving being in Sweden. We don’t really think, we just try to soak up as much time as we have in both places while we’re there.”
You and Felix seem to go to a bunch of Filip’s game when you’re back home. What’s that experience like?
“It’s definitely changed the game-day experience for me as a wife, but it’s made it 10 times cooler getting to share that through my son’s eyes and seeing he and Filip interact for warmup and such. I am now watching very little of the game. I’m watching my son and chasing him to make sure he doesn’t do anything crazy, but yeah, it’s been really magical, to be honest.”
What’s Felix’s reaction like seeing his dad on the ice?
“It’s a soft or a sore subject, but Felix has never said mama (laughing). He’s 18 months old. He says Dada. He can say nine, and he can do the Preds chant with his like syllables. He’ll go, ‘nah, nah, nah,’ so really, really bought in. I’m like, ‘I’ve given the Preds my first-born, but it’s fine (laughing).'”
How much have you grown to appreciate the life of an NHL player?
“For Filip, as my husband, he strives to be the best at everything he does. So when he’s at the rink, he’s the best hockey player he can be. When he’s at home, he’s the best dad and husband he can be. If that man’s going to wash the dishes, he’s going to be the best dishwasher you’ve ever seen him be. So he’s just that, as a whole. I think a lot of men that reach this status, and women, it takes so much discipline, and that’s what I’ve seen every single day since being up close with a personality like Filip.”