When I was in Canada, I happened to stumble upon this little book at card shop and before even cracking it open, I knew I'd love it. In this collection, author and New York Times writer Alan Feur creates found poetry using the words left by strangers for other strangers with whom they shared a fleeting moment. The "Missed Connections" section of craigstlist almost lends itself to this daunting task of curating words into poems but the fact they they are real and these encounters and glances actually happened is what enchants me the most. It's a small pocketbook so only lasts as long as a subway ride and it seems right that way, that it's over in a New York minute.

You can find I Hope You Find Me: The Love Poems of craigslist's Missed Connections here.  I've typed out one of my favorites as a little preview below, entitled "WE WERE A PRETEND COUPLE FOR A NIGHT". 

If you enjoyed this post, you may also like to "dare un'occhiata" at these ones:
​
​Recommended Reads: Month of February
​Recommended Reads: Month of October
Recommended Reads: The Best of Us by Joyce Maynard
Recommended Reads: Come Away With Me by Karma Brown ​​
Book in Progress: When in French by Lauren Collins​
Book in Progress: Italian Ways by Tim Parks
Book in Progress: Finding Me in France by Bobbi French ​

​Disclaimer: This was inspired by the rom-com "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" and is purely a post for fun based solely on my own personal experience and that of my foreign women friends in Italy. If you don’t like opinions or generalizations about other cultures or opinions and generalizations about men or Italy (or innocent digs at veganism, Birkenstocks, sailors, hoarders and more) don’t read this post! 
​
Day 1: INVITE YOUR GIRLFRIENDS OVER TO WATCH HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN TEN DAYS DURING LA PARTITA​ (THE GAME).

You only have one television so make sure you insist that he watch the movie with you. This will be more effective if the game is a semi-final or final, or ideally a match between arch rival teams of the same city known as a “derby”. Example: Inter vs. Milan.

Day 2: SHAVE YOUR HEAD AND INFORM HIM OF YOUR LIFETIME LOYALTY TO BIRKENSTOCKS WITH SOCKS.

Italians are really big on appearances and FOR THE MOST PART (there are exceptions as always), your typical Italian boy is a fan of femininity so long hair and heels are always appreciated, a shaved head and orthopedics might not bode well with most.

Day 3: SHAMELESSLY FLIRT WITH ALL HIS FRIENDS AND TALK ABOUT YOUR EXES.

Flirting is actually not terribly looked-down upon in Italy, so you’ll have to be pretty outrageous with this. On the flip-side, Italians tend to be quite jealous and possessive in relationships so this’ll drive him nuts. Also, Italians do NOT want to think that you were with anyone else before them. In their minds you were a devout nun before you met.

Day 4: DENT HIS ALFA ROMEO/BMV/MERCEDES/AUDI.

Your Italian boy probably drives one of the above cars and it’s probably kept meticulously pristine. Back-up against something or better yet, ensure that he’ll have to replace an entire door and not just the bumper.

Day 5: START SWEARING AND DRINKING LIKE A SAILOR.

Italian boys like their girlfriends and wives to be ladies and excessive swearing or drinking makes them lose face in public and amongst friends and family so it’s a no-no which means it’s a yes-yes for our list.

Day 6: BE A PURITAN BETWEEN THE SHEETS.

So while you strike up the naughtiness in public, tone it WAY down in the bedroom. This is probably applicable for all men because what man doesn’t love S-E-X? Refuse to do anything with the lights on and lay like a limp string bean doing the only position you’ll allow: missionary.

Day 7: GO GLUTEN-FREE AS A LIFESTYLE CHOICE.

If you’re a celiac, I’m sure he’ll understand though it might be exponentially harder to convince him for reasons other than medical. You could try going vegan as well and say you can’t eat in the presence of any type of non-vegan meal.

Day 8: SQUEAL WITH TERROR AND/OR MAKE VOMIT SOUNDS WHENEVER YOU SEE SMALL CHILDREN.

Like a good portion of any society, Italian men love family life and children and that’s not just the men. Italians as a population ADORE children and thus those that don’t are definitely seen as an anomaly.

Day 9: MAKE THE TV SERIES “HOARDING: BURIED ALIVE” LOOK LIKE A SCENE FROM THE MINIMALISTS DOCUMENTARY.

Italians are VERY clean and love cleanliness in everything (see Chilly Gel post) and most importantly, their living quarters. Houses are typically kept sparkling clean and could easily make a cameo in a Mr. Clean commercial as the “after” effect. If you don’t take care of your/his space and if he can’t eat spaghetti off the floor, he won’t be impressed.

Day 10: GIVE HIM AN ULTIMATUM BETWEEN HIS MOTHER AND YOU.

…and there you have it, you’re a free woman! 

BONUS: I posed this question on my Instagram and on my Facebook page and the response was OVERWHELMING. Here are all YOUR suggestions on how to lose an Italian guy....

I've had some people tell me they haven't felt like they could submit their story to this series because they aren't "with an Italian". Just want to take this moment (and this couple) to emphasize that this series is completely inclusive of ALL love stories so if you have one to share with us, please do! If it has an Italy twist to it, it's just a bonus for us Italy-lovers. So without further ado...today we have Carmela and Paolo and before you get ahead of yourselves thinking that Paolo is just another Italian dude let me say that this beautiful globe-trotting couple is from the Phillipines and are certainly a testament to oh all the places love can take you...figuratively AND literally. These two can now be found exploring their new home in the gorgeous region of Tuscany. Read on you romantics!

Where are you from and where is your significant other from? 
Paolo and I (Carmela) are both from Manila, Philippines. Since we got married, we have lived in three different countries: the United States, the Philippines, and Italy. 

Curator's Note: so I've always felt that the Philippines is my spirit country after Italy. This might be because I'm commonly mistaken as being from there hehe. 

Where and when did you meet your significant other? 
In 2002, we were both pre-med students at the University of the Philippines. I met him in a Humanities class. It was funny because of some technical glitch in the online enrollment system, he had to take that class against his will! Thank God for that "error'!

Curator's Note: see ya'll...nothing is a mistake!

Who made the first move? 
I made the first move because I asked him to be the escort for my 18th birthday debut. In my culture, it was the tradition to throw a huge party when a woman turns 18. I had a little crush on him and I wanted to be happy for my birthday, so I asked if he could be my escort! He had to learn to do the traditional dance and perform the specific gentlemanly duties for that special occasion. It was so unlike his personality to do all of those formal tasks yet he did it an absolutely perfect job!

Curator's Note: I've never been to one of these debuts but I've seen photos and they are more elaborate than weddings sometimes! Good on you for making the first move, GIRL POWER! 

What was your first impression of him?
I thought he was a "cool nerd". He was super intelligent but he was also low-key. He was not the type who would show off in class yet he will outperform everybody else with his outstanding grades. Also, he was so confident in his own skin that he didn't care what other people think of him. 

Curator's Note: I'm really into cool nerds. My husband is very intelligent as well but he definitely acts more cool than nerd, you'd never know! 

Dish on the first kiss! 
Our first kiss was at the college fair! It was awkward yet romantic!

Curator's Note: aren't they all?!

​When/how did you know it was love? 
I knew it was love when we decided to take a short break from seeing each other every day. We were both confused about our feelings for one another at that time. He went on a beach trip with his best buddies, and I hung out with my girlies. After a couple of weeks of contemplating, we realized that our friendship had turned into real love.

How did he propose?
He proposed after nine years of being boyfriend-girlfriend. Before he did his formal proposal, he asked my parents for my hand in marriage and treated them out to dinner. The night we got engaged, he took me to this intimate garden restaurant and knelt down on one knee, did his little speech, and of course, I said yes. We got married six months later.

Curator's Note: Oh I love how classic this is. Also that he asked your parents, what a sweetheart! 

The one thing you love most about your significant other.
I love that we have survived many trials and difficulties as a couple: a two-year breakup, a two-year long-distance relationship, living in seven different homes in a span of three years before finally settling down in Italy, etc. Paolo is such a cool dad to our two little boys. He is a responsible father and he puts his family first. 

Curator's Note: WOW SEVEN?! I've only ever moved once and I think come hell or high water, I refuse to move again (unless it's to a villa with an infinity pool in Tuscany). 

What do you love most about being married? 
I love that I am married to my best friend. Our motto is "happy spouse, happy house". Being married made me realize that love can take a completely different form. Being parents of a toddler and a baby will definitely change a marriage. It requires a lot of sacrifice, patience, understanding, and teamwork.  It is important for me to have a supportive partner in raising our children together. I also love that we are both embarking on this expat journey together! We are both learning a third language (Italian) in our almost mid-30s (which is no easy task for adult learners). 
​
Curator's Note: I love that you're on this journey together as well, I think a shared adventure like this- new country, new language, new culture - can only work to bring you closer together. Cheers guys! 

Submitted by Carmela. 

Here's how you can connect with 
Blog: bellissimamma.it
Twitter: @labellissimamma
Instagram: instagram.com/thebellissimamma
Facebook: facebook.com/thebellissimamma

A huge, heartfelt thanks to Carmela and Paolo for sharing their love story with us.
​Vi auguro tante belle cose. xoxo
​
If you enjoyed this post, you may also like to "dare un'occhiata" at all of the  Love Story Lunedì. There are so many amazing stories to read so make sure you're all caught up. And should you want to share your own story or know of a couple who would, please get in touch. 
​
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Evelyn and Fabio​
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Margarita and Andrea​
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Viki and Que
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Athena and André
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Rosa and Rocco
​​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Hayley and Mike
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Philippa and Nick
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Camie and Marco
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Alannah and Eros​​
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Cheyenne and Giulio
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Jade and Daniele
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Chloe and Andrea
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Coral & Riccardo
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Rachel & Riccardo
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Daria and Francesco
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Briana and Dami
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Kayla and Luca
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Sarah and Michele
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Bailey and Carlo​
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Gregory and Stefania
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Sofie and Emilio
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Isabel and David
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Jasmine & Massi
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Tiffany and Adam
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Angela & Davide
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Kristie & Graziano
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Brittni & Alberto
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Maddie & Gio
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Jennie & Davide
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Lauren & Luigi
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Rebecca and Leonardo
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Jennifer and James

 I'm so excited to share this interview that I did with James Thomas, the wonderful multi-lingual host of Four Seas One Family, a podcast where he shares stories about expat and immigrant lifestyles. I hadn't heard of his podcast before he contacted me but now it's one of my must-listens. When I hear the stories of like-minded individuals around the globe, it really makes my heart sing. I feel like I'm listening to myself, in different cities. It's a way to dream somehow, listening to the stories of those who are chasing the dream and living the beautiful mess that is life abroad. If you have 20 minutes, hit play and have a listen as James asks me everything from common misconceptions about Italy to how to make friends as an adult expat! 

Podcast Notes: 
No one can really ever predict with absolute accuracy the road life will take them. Desires, wishes and dreams may at first just seam to be passing thoughts with no reason to take action to see to completion. This episode we catch up with someone who had a simple desire to one day live abroad. Luckily, in this case, a decision that was made by our guest did in fact lead to her current life overseas.

Today we talk to a self proclaimed city girl with a country soul (ME!!!). Joining us from her secret hideaway in Europe, Jasmine Mah, a prolific blogger from North America, joins us to share her, what I would call romantic, story about how she ended up living overseas and also how she has adopted to her new life abroad. Hear how she learnt to make adjustments to her persona that helped her adapt to her new overseas environment.

If you enjoyed this post, you may also like to "dare un'occhiata" at these ones or at the Expat Life category on the sidebar:
​
​Immunity to Accent Attractiveness: Can the Italian Accent Stop Being Sexy?
The English Stare and Getting "Englished" Living Abroad and How To Deal
What I'm Really Thinking While Speaking Italian as a Second Language
Taking Risks in Language Learning
Language Burnout
The Gift of Language: Italian and Beyond
The Neverending Story of Learning Italian
Living in Italy, Speaking in English 
Parli Italiano? 
​How to Keep Learning Italian in Italy
​​​​

NEVER. The answer is NEVER folks. An accent is never annoying and I’m sorry to say so (I'm not, but I had to put it out there on default because I’m Canadian), but if you ever tell anyone that their accent is annoying, you are an ass and you need to get with the program. EVERYONE HAS AN ACCENT, even in their own native language. It may be slight, it may be very hard to detect in some cases, but we all have one. In second languages, third, fourth, and fifth, if we learned these languages as older adolescents or adults, we have an accent when we speak them. The only case of non-accented-ness (is that a word?) is with bi/tri/whatever-comes-next-linguals that were taught those languages from the age of zero,  and were exposed to them and utilized them from day one. If that is you, then by all means, you may claim to have no accent. For the rest of us, EMBRACE THE ACCENT and never make fun of someone’s accent for it doesn’t mean they are stupid, or ignorant (that would be you my friend), or uneducated…you know what it means? It means they fucking speak another language. How good is your Hindi? Your Mandarin? Your Russian? Do you happen to speak those fluently without an accent? Because if you do, you were the luckiest child in the world and you should probably be a millionaire right now. If you don’t, then you have no right to comment on the accent of others. You might be wondering where this semi-rant is coming from and I suppose it’s from some comments I’ve heard from internet trolls on YouTube along the lines of:

“l’accento anglofono è fastidioso” – the English accent is annoying
(referring to Anglo-Saxon accents in Italian)

This kind of comment makes me want to scream. I know, it’s just keyboard warriors but still. *muffled screaming in office* This is not to say that in second languages, we shouldn’t make an effort with pronunciation, in fact many polyglots concentrate heavily on pronunciation and accent and do a damn good job with it. All I’m saying is that our reaction to the outcome of these efforts needs to change, we should be applauding all efforts and not only perfection when it comes to language-learning. Call me an idealist but I hope that one day no one will have to be told that their accent is annoying but instead, that it’s wonderful and admirable and brave that they are learning another language. 

In conclusion, let's all be more like this towards each other: 
​

Thank the stars, I've received this story to share which brings us out of our Loveless Lunedì slump! That isn't to say that we are in the clear, this is again the "last" story in my inbox so please keep spreading the word if you know couples who would be great fits for this feature. Evelyn moved from Vermont to Rome at the tender age of eighteen and somehow ended up meeting Fabio in the USA who, as fate would have it, was from a little town north of Turin. The cirumstances to their meet are just jaw-dropping (I know I say that with every story but it's the TRUTH). They got in contact with each other after Fabio's brother met HER MOTHER at a Vermont Farmers' Market and Mom insisted that the two meet. This is one story where a meddling mom deserves the praise! I won't steal Evelyn's thunder, she's written a backstory for ya'll to read:

The Backstory:
Fabio's brother and another Italian woman have a farm in Vermont, they met my mom at a Farmers' Market (classic Vermont swear), I was about to be moving to Turin so my mom said I had to meet them. I came back for two weeks and he happened to be visiting his brother. So over I went to share some wine with them and in he walks, gorgeous, tall, tan, with his messy farm clothes and boots. I tried so hard to talk to him more, but he was quiet, and my mom was there, so there is only so much flirting you can push in. He was trying to stay in USA, and so we never exchanged numbers. Then a few weeks later my mom asked for my number to give to his brother because Fabio was coming back. He messaged me the second he got back to Italy. Moral of the Story: support local producers and be grateful for your mother eh.

When he was back he immediately wanted to find a job abroad, and I was just getting over an old relationship and trying to focus on me. But after the first week together we were completely hooked, it felt instantly like he had always been a part of my life and I could tell him anything.  I remember after a few weeks he took me to lunch with his friends and on the way back I couldn’t stop looking at him, and we both admitted we had wanted to say I love you, but with such an unsure future about him leaving we stayed quiet. Then shortly after he came over saying he had something to tell me, I was sure he had taken a job in New Zealand and was leaving. Instead he showed up and said he took a job in Turin and would stick around. I wanted to cry I was so happy. Then we finally both told each other we loved each other, and it has been an amazing, constantly crazy, adventure since.

Curator's Note: ah ok, the Farmers' Market fits in with my vision of Vermont! Do people go there wearing plaid and drinking artisan coffee? The sentence I bolded about Fabio walking in is like all of my fantasies in one- Italian and farm clothes and boots, I'm dying. 

Where are you from and where is your significant other from? 
I am from Middlebury, Vermont, but came over to Italy right at 18 years old, so I often have to say Rome is my second home. He comes from Leini, a little town north of Turin.

Curator's Note: Wow, 18 years old! That's really brave of you. I admire that immensely. Also, I always have romantic notions of Vermont that involve plaid things and fireplaces. Not sure if that's accurate at all. 
​
Where and when did you meet your significant other? 
July 2017 on a farm in Panton, Vermont, aka in the middle of nowhere surrounded by little piggies and chickens, over a bottle of Barbera. (the full backstory was above anyways!)

Who made the first move? 
Beh, bit difficult, I swear I tried to flirt the first time, but really, he messaged me first, I invited him to dinner at my house first, but he kissed me first. So, I  but he set the stage but he followed my lead with the first move let's say. The cutest thing he did: I am a know-it-all about Italy, but I said he needed to learn some Fun Facts to impress me about his city. He messaged me before saying “just be impressed by the fact I am searching something to impress you, I hope the concept is clear” and I got all butterfly in the stomach and giggly in love.  
​
Curator's Note: searching something!! Without the preposition "for", it's sooooo cute. I'm not sure if you noticed that you used "beh" in the beginning which is totally not English. I also like to use Italian sounds in English and pretend like my Canadian friends know exactly what I mean with "boh". 

If you were the foreigner, where did you think he was initially from?
I didn’t put it together he was the other guy's brother, but knew he was from Italy, I thought he was a Southerner (my weakness and dream). 

Curator's Note: well we can't have everything now can we? Just be happy that his name is Fabio and you saw him in plaid (I'm assuming). 

What was your first impression of him?
Honestly, he was a truck mechanic on a farm, smoking and so quiet, I thought he would be like a country kinda guy. Also, he was quiet sooooo quiet, I thought he didn’t speak English or just hated me because he gave me no indication of being interested whatsoever. Second time we met in Italy though he was so different, he was crazy, flirty, and super smart and immediately felt like a best friend I had always known.​

Curator's Note: crazy, flirty...sounds so much like some of the guys I've featured on here. I think we can just say that Italians are crazy and flirty or crazy/flirty. 

Dish on the first kiss! 
Ah, well, he actually first kissed me on the neck, which although was incredibly hot, I think ruins the cuteness of our relationship story haha. It was our second time seeing each other in Turin. We were sitting on my couch, I had forced him to watch The Young Pope, we were sitting close, like leaning into each other and I saw him get red, heard his heart beat SO loud and fast, so could tell it was building up. I have a ring I always fiddle with, he stopped my fingers and took my hand, then moved my hair and kissed my neck. Then he pulled away and kissed me for real. I am pretty sure I laughed at him after the first kiss for going straight for the neck. I definitely always laugh at him now for it.   Later he told me he thought about kissing me the first night, when he dropped me at my apartment, because I was playing with my keys which Hitch told him was a sure sign a girl wanted to be kissed (it was true, I was so into him). But he decided not to since he was one of the only people I knew in Turin he didn’t want to be disrespectful or annoying Italian guy. That made me love him even more.​

Curator's Note: I am SO into this neck kiss as a first kiss! I'm with you girl, incredibly hot, not at all the ruin of your relationship's cuteness. 

​Where do you live now? 
In Turin! Ok well he is in Leini, but 20 minutes doesn’t make a difference.

Have you learnt each other's languages? 
Well I still don’t understand a word of Piemontese, but yes, I had already spoken Italian, he surprised me with excellent English. I try to force him to help me with Italian, but he prefers English with me, he says my voice sounds better… Something I find beautiful about being with him though is that he is able to communicate emotions in English, while I struggle in Italian, so when we do have issues we can communicate. 

Curator's Note: I personally think my voice also sounds better in English but not that it's an accent think, just my voice is deeper in English. NO idea why. 
​
Any advice to "mixed" culture couples or couples doing long-distance? 
Definitely try to communicate and understand the differences, sometimes its cultural sometimes its personal. But you’ll never get anywhere just by blaming and getting upset, it is important to identify your differences but not force changes. Also, for the long-distance bit: phone calls always are better than constant texting.

Curator's Note: that's always the hard part isn't it? Distinguishing between the cultural and the personal. Like, is this just your personality that you're busting my balls or is this an Italian thing? Hahaha. At least, that's how I feel sometimes. 

Submitted by Evelyn. 

Here's how you can connect with Evelyn. 
​Instagram: @evoo_boh 

July: La Dolce Vita

We all know that stereotype. But what’s your definition of “la dolce vita”? In other words, what makes life sweet for you? What does your ideal life look like? Your hosts of the #DolceVitaBloggers link up, Kelly, Kristie, and I, invite you to define your dolce vita.  
​
HOW TO JOIN OUR LINK-UP:
For instructions on how to join, click here.
For an instructive video on how to join, click here.
​
The link up will be open from July 7th to 14th. You’ll be able to add your blog post or vlog below as always by clicking the BLUE BUTTON. ​

Welcome back to your lovey-dovey dose of the Monday Pinks (my take on the antidote to the traditional "Monday Blues"). This story is the last one I have in my e-mail inbox, so it might be the last one for awhile until I get some more. If you're reading this and would like to submit or know someone that should, please get in contact! Today we have Margarita and Andrea, she's a spicy and hotter-than-hell Colombian who could literally be Shakira's twin and he's a dashing Italian from Milan who had been Insta-stalking her profile before they actually met in person! What can we say, it was "amore a prima Insta"! This story will have you sighing and dreaming about drunk 1 A.M. make-out sessions at the Trevi Fountain. Let's get started...! 

Where are you from and where is your significant other from? 
I’m from Colombia and Andrea is from Milan, Italy. 

Curator's Note: what a sexy pairing, I'm already highly emotionally-invested in this couple! 
​
Where and when did you meet your significant other? 
Andrea and I met about a year ago. I always dreamed of living in Italy and after I graduated I decided to spend a summer in Rome while I was learning Italian.  While I was there, my cousin that lives in Milan invited me to her graduation ceremony so I headed north for a week. My cousin’s boyfriend casually introduced me to him and later in the lunch party we ended up sitting in front of each other. I was so nervous because my Italian was very rough and my family was sitting at another table, so there wasn’t anyone near me to save me. But after two glasses of prosecco, we begin to talk about life and all happy things. He later confessed me that he and my cousin’s boyfriend had been stalking me on Instagram prior my arrival so he already had an eye on me. Also, for some reason, he assures that I was flirting with him and touching his leg under the table, I absolutely have no memory of that but this makes me realize how sly are Italians when it comes to dating/flirting.   

Curator's Note: what a coincidence, I also talk about life and all happy things after prosecco!

Who made the first move? 
He did, but he took his time. We went out to grab an aperitivo with my cousin and her boyfriend. My cousin knew I liked him and I knew it was mutual because he told my cousin’s boyfriend and of course he told me! I thought he’d ask my phone number that same day because that’s usually the case with Colombian guys, but he waited until the next day. We went to a day trip in Lake Como and at the end of the day he finally asked my number, he also loosely insinuated that I should invite him to visit me in Rome.  

Curator's Note: ooooo he played hard to get. Would LOVE to know the difference between Columbian guys and Italian ones...collaboration idea my dear?? 

If you were the foreigner, where did you think he was initially from?
Due to the nature of the situation, he knew I was Colombian and I knew he was Italian. The funny thing is that he is not like the typical Italian; he even has Asian almond-shape eyes. So it makes me laugh that when we go together to touristic places, Italians start to talk to us in English.     

Curator's Note: that's ok, when I go around with my husband, since I'm the one with Asian almond-shape eyes, we always get spoken to in English. My husband hates it haha. 

What was your first impression of him?
I thought he was very shy but he has these beautiful eyes that speak for him. I remember that the way he looked at me was the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.

Curator's Note: let's be honest, I think Italians take a class when they're in school called "How To Speak Without Words 101" where they perfect all their hand gestures, body language, and most of all, how to use their eyes! Many, MANY girls who read this will agree with me. 

Dish on the first kiss! 
Once we spent the last couple of hours together in Lake Como, it was time to return to Milan. I knew it was the last time we would see each other, because I was leaving the next day. So we sadly said goodbye. I was tired resting in bed at my cousin’s house when he suddenly wrote me asking me if I would like to go out for a couple of drinks. I literally screamed and took my cousin out of the shower. I got ready quickly and we went to this beautiful rooftop bar. After one drink, he leaned over me and kissed me. All the beautiful city lights were shining in the background. It was perfect; of course, I invited him to Rome and he came after two weeks.      

Curator's Note: you're killing me with this scene-  city lights, DRINKS, an Italian boy! The way life should be all the time, the most important things are the LATTER two. 

​Where do you live now? 
After my summer in Rome, I moved to Milan and we plan to stay here as long as I can. 

When did you know it was love?
I knew it was love when our mini vacation in Rome was about to finish. We had this special date that changed everything. We'd been fighting a lot because he wasn’t sure about starting a serious relationship with somebody. We started to talk about our life goals and we found out how similar we are. We got drunk and ended up making out in front of the Trevi Fountain at 1 a.m.      

Curator's Note: yup, drunk making out in front of the Trevi Fountain will do it in 99% of cases. Damn you Trevi Fountain. There's that Lauv song that has lyrics like "to be drunk and in love in New York City", but I think to be drunk and in love in Italy is SO MUCH BETTER. 

Have you learnt each other's languages? 
​Yes, he is always helping me to improve my Italian and he studied Spanish at the university so he understands me very well. But we mainly communicate in Italian.  

Curator's Note: I find this very interesting, that Italian takes the driver's seat! 
​
Any advice to "mixed" culture couples or couples doing long-distance? 
Be very patient. It's not easy to express your feelings in a foreign language, so you both must be willing to explain very patiently your concerns and thoughts. Although some cultures are very similar, there are always things that are different from what you are used to, so be really open-minded and embrace your significant other’s culture as your own. We did long-distance for about month and a half, it is not a long time, but we made sure to have daily Skype calls and tried to be very present in each other’s day.

Curator's Note: I'm a huge fan of the last part about being "present in each other's day". 

Submitted by Margarita. 

Here's how you can connect with Margarita:
​Instagram: @marguialba ​
Blog: www.ilsognoitalianoblog.com