This is one of the most beautiful summers I can remember. Not just because of the great weather – which did put on its best of appearances – but also because my sister got married. And that triggered a chain of beautiful events in my head.

Now, under normal circumstances, I would of course be quite skeptical to any boy my sister would bring home – but I guess many things are different this time around. First of all, it was my big sister who got married and not my little sister; big difference to it being my little sister. Secondly, I have known her husband, Jens, for close to eight years now – and he has more than stood the test of time. I think it’s fair to say that he won the hearts and minds of us.

Bettina and Jens have the most beautiful family; I love them so much. Their children, Mads (four) and Caroline (soon three) jump and yell Uncle Bjorn whenever they see me. Mikkel (7 months) doesn’t quite jump or scream yet, but he does smile. I love playing with them. Please don’t grow up too quickly!

Having the full family – not only Bettina, Jens, and their children – but also my parents, my little sister and brother – together at my parents’ place for a longer period of time has not happened in, well, I think 10 or more years. It was such a magic time we had together in the garden and on the beach, that it’s difficult to describe. I think magic is the right word. Maybe the Wedding helped make it all magic.

Do you remember the age at which you got your first girlfriend? In elementary school, not too serious, but still serious enough to get embarrassed about it. Remember? Well, I remember. I clearly recall a dinner, where my grandparents came to my parents’ place for dinner. My father – naturally – told the group about my girlfriend, and I was so embarrassed. After dinner, my grandfather came to me, put his hands on my shoulders and said: “It’s so much better when people like each other, than when they don’t. It’s nothing to be embarrassed of.”* It put me so much at comfort, and I have never forgotten. And I still agree.

I guess where I’m getting at, is that it’s so much better when people like each other, than when they don’t. And it’s so much better when families are together, than when they’re not.

Bettina and Jens, Mads, Caroline, and Mikkel – you’re magical.

* Being from the Southern part of Jutland, I’m pretty sure my grandfather also linked this beautiful, poetic statement to something about wars – something along the lines: “People who don’t like each other just end up in war.” Well, well.

I know I have kept you out of the loop for some time now. The good thing about that is that it is because I have had a wonderful fall so far, too busy doing all kinds of things. So here is what has happened:

Uncle Bear x 2! On October 3, my big sister gave birth to a tiny little girl (7 weeks ahead of time) called Caroline. I have been to see her at the hospital, where she needs to stay there until she can take all of the day’s meals with my sister.

I also went to visit my little sister in London (she has moved there, in case you forgot). Along with seeing her, partying, playing tourists, I also visited the TownhouseDK, a small part of the London Design Festival. TownhouseDK is a Townhouse entirely decorated with Danish design. Pretty cool. Below a picture of my sister in front of where she works (view more photos from London trip).

I also visited my friend Morten in Lausanne, which is starting to become some kind of semi-annual tradition. I really like the area around Lake Geneva, I must say. I was lucky to be there at the same time as Lausanne-Ouchy had a “city-party” with all kinds of events, which filled the streets with people. Below a picture from somewhere between Lutry and Lausanne (maybe Pully, I can’t remember), with Lake Geneva and the Alps faintly visible in the background.

That was some of what I experienced so far this Fall. I’ll return as soon as I can with some points on a couple of interesting books I’ve read and some great new music I’ve discovered. Meanwhile, I find myself spending more and more time on Facebook — if you are not already signed up, I can highly recommend it as a great way of staying in touch with people you know, care about and love :-)

Charlotte, my wonderful little sister, has moved to London. While I miss her incredibly, I know she is having the time of her life, of which she will, from time to time, update us on with her blog.

On the upside is of course the excuse I now have to visit London more frequently. If you are also planning on going there, remember the London Design Festival (September 15-25), which my sister says is going to be a super cool event.

Today, my little sister (Charlotte) and I met up with my big sister (Bettina) and my nephew (Mads). We live on opposite sides of the same lake (satellite photo), so we met at the lake and had a long nice stroll.

The weather was (and still is here in the early evening) beautiful, although I think Mads felt a little warm at times. That was nothing a bit of softice couldn’t cure.

I also took Mads for his very first swing (photos below) — can you see why I love him? Have a wonderful Sunday evening :-)