VANERSBORG, SWEDEN >>

The warm summer sun and a light afternoon breeze was the ideal weather to pitch a tent for some backyard fun. My daughters and their Swedish grandparents set up the poles and canvas covering to fashion an outdoor sanctuary under the shade of a towering birch tree.

Peals of laughter coming from the bright blue tent, with their grandmother’s garden of fuchsia peonies, red roses and yellow loosestrifes as a backdrop, all added to the colorful ambience of the day. The setting — and the company — could not have been more perfect for memories to be made.

We are in Sweden, visiting my husband’s charming hometown of Vanersborg, which is about an hour’s drive from bustling Gothenburg. More important, we’re visiting his parents, whom my girls affectionately call Farfar and Farmor (Grandpa and Grandma in Swedish), and other family members.

We have been to Sweden a handful of times. It’s a chance for my daughters, ages 9, 7 and 3, to reconnect with their paternal grandparents and their Scandinavian heritage.

(Their maternal grandparents — my parents — live just five minutes away from us, so they’re fortunate enough to be part of the girls’ daily lives.)

The opportunity for my children to spend time with their Swedish grandparents is something I never take for granted and something I hope they learn to truly appreciate as they get older.

Both of my grandfathers died before I was born. My maternal grandmother, “Mama,” lived with us and played an important role in my upbringing.

But I will always feel a part of me is missing because I never had the chance to meet my paternal grandmother, who lived in the Philippines. There was always talk of traveling to meet her, but the day never came. She died nearly 20 years ago.

Technology today is excellent for long-distance relationships, in this case between grandparents and grandchildren. Thanks to Facebook and FaceTime, my in-laws are able to keep up with my daughters in ways unimaginable a generation ago.

In some form and often in real time, Farfar and Farmor have participated in birthday festivities, holiday celebrations, piano recitals, picnics at the park and trips to the zoo.

But nothing — nothing — beats physically being together.

My girls speak fondly of past Sweden trips, when they went for long walks around the neighborhood with Farfar, Farmor and the family dog, Fanny; when they picked and ate fresh berries from Farmor’s garden; or when they helped Farfar and Farmor bake birthday cakes from scratch.

Just the other day, they had a wonderful time with Farmor and the new family dog, Doris. They spent the morning at a nearby playground, which was followed by a cuddly nap in Farmor’s cozy bed.

And as I type this, my three little girls are with their grandparents at an indoor water park, where I’m sure they’re splashing around and having a blast, making waves and more treasured memories.

“She Speaks” is a weekly column by women writers of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@staradvertiser.com.