Meet our Models: The Feldhege Family
The bond between the Feldhege family is magic. Leading the pack is Mama Misa, who left Japan to visit her sister in Missouri and coincidentally met her now husband. After dating long distance, Mama Misa and her husband had Reena, Erica, and Sophia in a small town in Minnesota.
Let’s get to know all of them better with this Q&A.
Reena: I work in social media at an advertising agency in Minneapolis, where I met Teeko! I’m so thankful to have met her and she inspires me with her drive and passion for her businesses. For fun, I love doing some yoga, trying new wines, and attempting some type of craft. I’m currently living in the North Loop area of Minneapolis.
Erica: My partner and I recently built a home in Fargo, ND. There I practice as a clinical pharmacist and in my free time work on new house projects, go on walks with our dog, and try new places to eat.
Sophia: I currently live in Seattle WA working as an RN. For fun, I like hiking in the PNW and traveling. During those rainy Seattle Days I like to do puzzles.
Mom: I’m a proud mom of 3 beautiful girls who are my pride and joy. I’ve had many jobs in many lives, but my favorite was owning and running a Japanese restaurant for a few years here in Minnesota. I like to read, go on walks with our dog Duncan, and catch up with my sister who still lives in Japan.
Sophia, Erica, and Reena Feldhege.
How was it like growing up half Japanese in a small town in Minnesota?
Reena: Growing up in a small town has its pros and cons...I was lucky enough to find great lifelong friends, but growing up as the “other” in a predominantly white neighborhood was not some of my fondest memories. Similar to my sister, it’s one of the many reasons I am drawn to big cities and won’t ever move back to a small town like Cold Spring.
Erica: My younger self would never believe this, but I am super lucky to have grown up with two sisters. Being raised in rural MN, we weren’t able to experience a lot of Japanese or other Asian American culture. Our mom did what she could, but my sisters and I were 3 out of 4 Asian American students in our school at the time, there just wasn’t a lot around. I became more aware of this when I started working in high school and, like my sister said, was often asked where I was from or what ethnicity I was. I can also say I have no desire to move back to a small town.
Sophia: Growing up in small town MN is part of the reason I picked Seattle when moving out of state. I wanted to live in a place that I wouldn’t constantly get asked “where are you really from”.
Mom: It’s still a surprise to me that I ended up here!
How did your mother meet your father?
Reena: She was visiting her sister who was going to school here at the time, when they met at a church group outing in Missouri. They did long distance for a year, and then my dad flew to Japan to propose! They’ve been together for over 30 years now.
Erica: I can add that when my dad flew out to propose, it was his first time visiting Japan. Even crazier to me, my mom moved to a country where she knew almost no one and made a life for herself.
What are your favorite Japanese foods?
Reena: Oyakodon, any type of bento box, and Yukult.
Erica: My favorite Japanese meal that my mom makes is curry. If I’m going out to eat, it’s sushi or ramen.
Sophia: Favorite noodle dish Somen, favorite main okonomiyaki
Mom: Grilled fish and Yakiniku
What music are you listening to?
Erica: I’ll listen to anything, but usually I have some kind of top hits playing.
Stay in-touch with the Feldhege sisters through instagram: Reena, Erica, and Sophia.
And, check out Reena’s new earring shop The Hapi Hapa!
