The Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful Botanic Gardens I have ever seen. Big old trees, stone gardens, ponds, cultivated areas with perfectly cut grass versus small, secret areas, big rhododendron bushes, greenhouses, squirrels, flowers…It took days to discover all the beautiful spots. I have spent so many happy hours there, mostly in the morning with a large coffee latte from the East Gate. When I struggle to fall asleep and I need to clear my mind, I still recall the steps from our flat to my favourite bench in the Garden. I remember how it felt to step outside our basement flat (it normally went from cold to warm…), how it smelt outside, how the pavement felt underneath my feet. I remember which turns to take in order to get to the bench which was off-track, hidden behind some beautiful rhododendron bushes. It’s one of the strongest memories I’ve got.

Three years ago, Karsten and I spent a wonderful spring morning in the Botanic Garden. It ended at said bench with a marriage proposal and 101 reasons why Karsten loves me. One of the best days in my life!