A Pull to Denmark

Going on a trip to Copenhagen didn't even feel like a possibility for our family.

But as soon as I read the description of the event, I knew it was for me.

I shared it with Eric and the first thing he said was, “how do we get you there?”

I had been following the DO Lectures for some time.

“The world’s Doers – disruptors and change makers, experts and pioneers – share their stories to encourage you to go and DO amazing things too.”

I had watched their talks online before, had read some of the DO books, and knew of their gathering in Wales. A gathering known globally.

It sells out immediately and there are wait lists for years. Great thinkers and do-ers from around the world arrive to a rural, remote area of Wales for “three life-changing days.” People share meals together. Listen to inspiring talks in a cow shed (really). And leave feeling incredibly inspired. They actually warn people not to make big life changing decisions in the weeks following the event - because people find it so profound.

And for the first time, they were going to host one in Copenhagen.

Talks, stories, innovation, and a platform for quieter voices... I was hooked.

It sounded incredible. But we had been a single income home for 8 years, in Toronto, with 3 small kids. Going to Copenhagen for a 3 day event felt almost irresponsible, frivolous.

Yet I had this feeling that I needed to be there.

We looked at flights. I felt giddy. Could this even be a possibility for me?! Could we manage? Did we have the money for this? Who would pick up the kids from school?

Then we decided our whole family would go. I know, quite a leap from trying to figure it out for one person. But I had always said that if my work brought me to different countries, we'd do it as a family. So suddenly instead of it being just me, it was all five of us.

I would go to the sessions during the day, they would explore the city, and then we’d stay together at night. We found a place to stay - a hostel that looked like a beautiful hotel right on the water. They had bunk beds and tons of room for us. We booked it.

And then they cancelled the event.

After communication slowed down from the organizers within 2 weeks of tickets becoming available, I said to Eric, something's going on. I think it's going to be cancelled.

It was.

But we already had flights and our accomodations, so I guess we’re going to Copenhagen!

Unexpected

I knew very little about Copenhagen. We didn’t know anyone who had been before.

We each packed a backpack and used carabiners to attach our bike helmets and water bottles. Off we went to the airport, on an adventure that ended up happening exactly as it was meant to.

Because I was able to experience Copenhagen with kids.

Instead of being in talks during the day, I was out with the kids and being able to observe first hand how the city was designed for them.

So many little details that would change their (and our) experience with them.

We rented a little boat to cruise through the canals. The kids were each given dip nets and told that if they were to collect any trash floating in the water, they would get a prize when they returned. Instead of being bored as we ooohed and aaaahed over the architecture, they were yelling out, “I found something!!!” “Ooooh, over there!” And when we got back to the dock, they were thrilled to each get a licorice pipe treat and a bracelet.

As soon as we walked into an art gallery, the staff immediately went to the kids - welcoming them, offering them clip boards with a piece of black paper and a white pencil crayon, and a pair of binoculars to hang around their necks.

There were trampolines built into the sidewalks for a playful jump along your way. The sticker on the ledge at the front of the subway with pretend gear shifts and dials; the kids had a front row seat to the underground tunnels and pretended to drive the subway.

There were playgrounds everywhere - even with coffee shops in them for the grown-ups, staff to support play, and a building filled with equipment and bikes for the kids to use.

Little windows cut out of big wooden walls around construction sites so kiddos could peek in and watch the action.

I could go on and on.

Kids were considered everywhere we went.

We experienced what it felt like, as a young family, to be tended to in such subtle ways through thoughtful design and care.

There was also an appreciation for beauty and quality. Fresh flowers rested in little vases on library tables even.

And figuring out ways to help bring people together was a part of how the city was designed - with big sweeping platforms cascading down to the canal, that acted like seating facing the water. People gathered to soak up the sun, to eat their lunches or read a book. There were benches throughout the city with people sitting and chatting. Bikes rolling by. It all felt so healthy.

And when I came home, I just felt mad.

Walking by crumbling concrete flower planters on our sidewalks, with no flowers inside. No benches to rest on or to visit with friends. Empty parks with few or no kids. No equipment for them. Not staffed.

The trip to Copenhagen wasn’t the reason for creating LYKKE Kids - it was the last straw.

I had been trying to figure out what I could do for kids since resigning from the school board. I loved what we had experienced in Denmark and wanted to figure out a way to bring more of that to where we lived. For kids to have a different experience, families too.

Two months later, I was working with a real estate agent to look at spaces in the neighbourhood. It was never a plan, just something that I felt I could offer…

And while we were in Copenhagen, we stopped by Skandinavisk - the space that was going to host the DO Lectures event. We wanted to see the magical courtyard and the place that helped bring us to Copenhagen.

We met the owner, Shaun, who was so great with us. We heard his story of bringing the unique scents of Scandinavia to people through his collection for body and home. And in typical Copenhagen fashion, he and his team spoke directly to the kids - bringing them through the space and having them smell different products. Asking them, What do you smell with this? Our kids, “apple, pear…” And sure enough, they were right.

If you’re ever looking for incredible products beautifully designed for body and home from a B Corp company filled with heart and mission, check out: Skandinavisk.