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
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
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
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