Where are you from and where is your significant other from?
I was born in California, USA, but grew up in South Australia. Gabriele, my husband, was born and raised in the countryside surrounding Milano, Italy.
Where and when did you meet your significant other?
We met the Summer of 2011. We both started working at The Bucket List, Bondi. It was just a little pop-up shack / bar back then but it’s now a major tourist attraction in Sydney, Australia. That Summer was one to remember. The sand and surf to step onto every work break, the friends made in the sun, the beautiful people everywhere and of course that one guy you can’t take your eyes off of from behind the bar. Bondi will always hold a special place in my heart.
Curator's Note: Mmmm, already loving this visual.
Who made the first move?
My husband did but I made sure I was in the right place. If you know what I mean. I guess you will understand if you read on.
Curator's Note: Sometimes you have to give love a helping hand right?
Where did you think he was originally from?
Bondi is now known as “Little Italy” in Sydney so I was pretty sure he was Italian. He was surprised I didn’t think he was French.
Curator's Note: I had no idea about Bondi being considered Little Italy, how intriguing!
What was your first impression of him?
He was glowing with a red hue around him and I thought to myself “wow there is something so special about this human, I don’t know what but I need to be close to him”. That was my first impression. I wrote it in a diary the day I first saw him. He was beautiful, mysterious, grounded, sure of himself and like no one I had ever seen before. A sense of being a genuine artist and creator and just an all over rawness. Ok ok. Next questions!
Curator's Note: Your description is my dream incarnate.
Dish on the first kiss!
That night was particularly sticky and hot as it had rained all evening. I was finally going out (at night) with Gaby... and his friends.
I made my way into the city on a bus (yes I waited at the bus stop in the rain for way too long!). When I arrived, I was wet and embarrassed and needed a drink! Nothing mattered pretty soon as the moods got merrier and the music got louder.
It was time to dance and I could finally get a little closer! We were watching live Hip-Hop which is my FAVORITE so I was extra stoked. Bless his cotton socks, I now know he despises Hip-Hop music!
It wasn’t long before the tension between us was epic to say the least. I whispered in his ear if he wanted to “get out of here?”, we said our goodbyes and were out of there.
On the stairs to the exit he stopped me and turned me around. After the most knee-melting, life-changing, stars-appearing 10 seconds of staring into my eyes or should I say SOUL! He kissed me.
So back to the previous question. Who made the first move? Well, you tell me?? All I know is it takes TWO TO TANGO!
Curator's Note: That, is one Fing EPIC kiss.
Where do you live now?
We now live in a city called Piacenza in Italy
Have you learned each other's languages?
He had good English when I met him but now his English is better than mine. I am still learning Italian but I’ve come a long long way from ‘Ciao’ !
Curator's Note: I'm curious if he has an Aussie accent….
Any advice for mixed/long-distance couples?
Learning about a new person is learning about a new person. Alway be patient, non-judgmental and kind. This doesn’t just go for lovers.
How did he propose?
I had spoiled his plans of taking me to our favorite beach in Sydney because I decided to go on a surprise road trip with a bestie back to Adelaide for the weekend.
It was one of those many perfect summer love mornings in our little (TINY) apartment on the esplanade on Bondi beach. We had spent the morning in bed; brioches and coffees, the sun sprawling over our half naked, entwined bodies, the sea breeze filling the air with nostalgia, soft background music of The Black Keys - Everlasting Light playing in the other room. Out of the blue, he retrieved a hidden book from a top shelf. It was an old copy of Alice in Wonderland. A tattered version not worth much but worth everything to me. You see I had been admiring this copy for many months in a little bookshop down the main street of Bondi. I have a long romantic history with Alice in Wonderland. I opened it and discovered his hand written love letter covering the first two pages. As I read it, tears filled my eyes, but it wasn’t until I reached the last three words that I realized this was the most wonderful day of my life so far. “Marry me Elka…” “I love you crazy baby…” I looked up in complete shock to see the love of my life sitting easy on the bed holding a sparkling ring. “Well, will you marry me baby?”
What do you love most about being married?
I read a beautiful quote about love and marriage:
“In order to make a relationship last, you really have to flow with a person as they change”
This is what I love about being married, it is forever changing and growing and expanding. As we continue to change we are given more and more opportunities to fall in love all over and over again. I love the man he was then and I love the man he is now.
Submitted by Elka.
Here's how you can connect with her:
Instagram: @laquila.studio
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laquila.studio/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHzPfvO7zrX2JtdzFXQb1dA?view_as=subscriber
A huge, heartfelt thanks to Elka and Gabriele 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. The majority of these stories have been brought to me through word-of-mouth, so let's keep spreading the love.
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