“I walk like on clouds”
Published 2024-06-30 13.18
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American country artist Doug Seegers has met love in Umeå resident Dina Frihaven, 28 years his junior, to whom he is now engaged.
For Aftonbladet, the couple talks regarding the courtship, future plans and thoughts regarding joint children.
– If we were to have children together, it would be proof of our love.
It has been ten years since the American country artist Doug Seegers, who was then homeless, was discovered by the artists Jill Johnson and Magnus Carlsson on the streets of Nashville. He then had great success in the TV show “Jill’s Veranda” and the viewers were then able to hear his self-written “Going down to the river”.
The rest is history for Doug Seegers who achieved great success as an artist. Now it is also flourishing on the private plane as the 72-year-old met love in Umeå resident Dina Frihaven, who is 28 years his junior.
– I walk like on clouds. He is a very, very happy man you are talking to. And a very infatuated one, says Doug Seegers, telling how they met:
– The first time we met was five years ago when a friend invited her to go to one of my concerts. Then Dina had no idea who I was. As soon as I started singing, she fell in love with my voice, but also my music and my lyrics.
– After the concert, she wrote me a long message. I can’t forgive myself for not responding to her message. But I get so many messages from fans.
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full screen Doug Seegers and love Dina Frihaven. Photo: Private
About two months ago, Dina Frihaven went to another concert and then she thanked Doug Seegers for the music when they were spoken to during a break.
– I have gone through a divorce and been deeply depressed and his music became therapy for me. We started talking and he also became curious as I am not Swedish, says Dina Frihaven, who originally comes from Russia.
One thing led to another and now they have been a couple for two months.
– It feels absolutely wonderful and I am so happy.
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full screen Doug Seegers Photo: Lotte Fernvall
They have already taken the relationship to the next step and on June 10 they got engaged. Doug Seegers talks regarding the courtship.
– I bought an engagement ring before I went back to Umeå. But I tried to wait for the right moment. When she came out of the shower with a towel around her, I got down on one knee and asked if she wanted to marry me, he says, and tells us that the wedding plans are already nailed down:
– We will get married in Umeå on November 26, my birthday.
He explains that the fiancée does not want to live permanently in the US and that they will commute between Nashville and Umeå.
– In addition, she has children. It’s a wonderful girl and a wonderful boy. At first I was nervous and wondered if they would accept me. but they have been absolutely fantastic.
– But we’ll see how we do in the future, whether it’s Nashville or Umeå. But I might move to Sweden permanently.
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fullscreen Doug Seegers and Jill Johnson. Photo: Claudio Bresciani/TT
May we ask if you have already talked regarding joint children?
– I have no problem having children with Doug if it is God’s will. Besides, I like children so much. If we were to have children together, it would be a proof of our love, says Dina Frihaven and at the same time comments on the age difference:
– For me, there are no problems at all. I was previously married to a man and there was a 26 year age difference between us.
Until the wedding, Doug Seegers is busy. These days he goes on the “Segerwood” tour together with Eva Eastwood and this fall they will release an album with the same name. Then another joint tour awaits and then a Christmas tour for Doug Seegers, which he does with Erikshjälpen.
Do you often think regarding how the meeting with Jill Johnson and Magnus Carlsson ten years ago changed your life?
– Absolutely. It really changed my whole life and it’s something I think regarding all the time.
