Where are you from and where is your significant other from?
I'm from South west London with Italian origins and he is from the little unknown region of Molise a small coastal town called Campomarino on the Adriatic coast.
Where and when did you meet your significant other?
I came to Italy in 2007 to teach English in a local school as I wanted a change from London and wanted to travel. Then in 2009, the year I decided I wanted to leave and try a new place, he walked into my classroom..hehe...yes that's right I was his teacher and he decided to take an English course in order to get a job he was applying for in Brussels. Instead he didn't get the job in Brussels but did a months exchange in New York through a programme offered by Rotary. It ended up being a great experience and his English really improved.
Who made the first move?
He did!! During a lesson oops!! I would always start my class with a general conversation and would also ask my students how they were and what they did at the weekend. When I got to him he told me he had been to a big shopping village near Pescara and I was like "oh I really want to go there but you need a car,". He then said "if you want I will take you!". I immediately said yes but not thinking anything of it to which he was shocked by my prompt reply. (These Italian boys are not used to us forward foreign women haha!!). Later in the lesson he asked me again to which I replied yes and that we would exchange numbers next lesson. The next lesson didn't happen but he managed to get my number and the rest is history!! We spent the whole day together...shopping turned into lunch, lunch turned into dinner and then he took me out dancing. We have been inseparable ever since.
What was your first impression of him?
At first I thought he was very quiet but cute. I fell for his big blue eyes and gentlemanly charm.
Where do you live now?
We live in Campomarino and we have just finished renovating a house together. On one side we have the view of the sea and on the other side we have the mountains. I never thought that me, the city girl, would end up living in a small sea town.
Have you learnt each other’s languages?
Let's just say my Italian is better than his English hehe! Although he has improved and is able to communicate well with my family and friends. He is a little lazy when speaking English and he certainly understands me when I'm mad (hehe...).
Any advice to “mixed” culture couples or couples doing long-distance?
It's hard work like any relationship but maybe even more so. Even though my roots are Italian, we are so, so different in many ways. It hasn't been an easy transition for me but you have to want it to work at it. I'm not going to lie, it's been hard especially for me living in a small place with no great opportunity. You have to reinvent yourself and become more creative in generating an income which hasn't been easy for me but I'm working at it!!
Submitted by Daniella.
Here's how you can connect with Daniella:
Instagram: @yayazia
Facebook: Daniella Petruccio
Vi auguro tante belle cose. xoxo
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