LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Paula and Pontus

Today's two lovers are probably the definition of what it is to be in a relationship in the millenial day and age- we're now living in a world that brings hearts together from its four corners with love stories that span oceans and continents with the help of Skype, Whatsapp, Tinder, Skyscanner, and AirBnB (stay tuned, I might have a love story about everyone's favorite accommodation finder!). Globalization may have its downsides and I'm no economics major, but I have to say that an upside is the mobility that its given to people. That, mixed with the prevalence of English as a lingua franca has inevitably allowed us to make connections with each other like never before. So tell me, what's the common thread between Florence, a Swedish stud and a Mexican mamacita (apologies for making alliterations like Pitbull)? You got it...Love Story Lunedì! He's been living in Florence for the past ten years, she was raised between Mexico and the USA so essentially between two people, we have a mix of four cultures! Today's story is taking us from opposite sides of the Atlantic (just to change things up a bit), from Paula's hometown of Mexico City to Pontus's of Stockholm, Sweden, with a final stop in their current location of Florence, Italy. 

Where are you from and where is your significant other from? 
I was born in Mexico City and he was Born in Stockholm, Sweden. He has been in Florence for almost 10 years now and I was raised in both USA and Mexico.  

Curator's Note: I'm already euphorically confused. YAS. Adoro. 

Where and when did you meet your significant other? 
We met on summer of 2016 at a Gala Party that was being hosted by my university here in Florence. I was attending as a new student and he on the other hand was attending with a friend of his who had recently graduated from the same university. 

Curator's Note: When is someone going to give all these couples a book deal or a TV series? a GALA PARTY, FLORENCE. Strangers in the nightttttttt.......! 

Who made the first move? 
He did! I was so nervous about being at the Gala since I didn't know anyone so I wasn’t really aware of my surroundings. A friend of his approached me at the beginning of the event and eventually introduced me to all of his friends, (one being my boyfriend). He waited for his friend to leave my side for a second in order to “steal” me away. We talked for hours that night, as if we knew each other so well.

Curator's Note: You probably do know each other. You know, from a parallel life. Because that's absolutely something I would say being the romantic I am. 

If your significant other was the "foreigner"in the situation in which you met where did you initially think he was from? 
I didn’t honesty have time to think about this! But knowing that the university was international, we asked each other right away where we were from.

What was your first impression of him?
I instantly thought he was attractive. However, I was definitely not expecting to talk or anything that night. I was really impressed by our flowing conversations, it made him so much more attractive right away. 

Curator's Note: Of course, can't fall in love with a pretty face. Well, maybe you can but it won't last.

Dish on the first kiss! 
Ours didn’t happen that night ! Hahah As a matter of fact, he tried and I didn’t let him! Hahahah I told him “I don’t kiss on the first date”, which I immediately regretted because it took a full 2 weeks for it to happen. He later told me that he was so nervous to do it because he didn’t want me to reject him again. 

Curator's Note: No no no, you did the right thing girlfriend. He was probably so nervous yes but also probably so determined. I'm sure that two weeks was worth it in the end. Wink, wink. 

​Where do you live now? 
We both live in Florence, Italy. However, we will be moving to Stockholm next May.​

Curator's Note: See what I mean guys, this is the epitome of the young, modern couple now. It's becoming so yesterday to do the high school sweetheart, white picket fence thing isn't it? Who am I kidding though? I love that too. If there's love involved, I love it. 

How did he propose? 
He proposed on Ponte alla Carraia. We were on our way to meet some friends for a dinner (that later on I was told was all fake).  As we were crossing the bridge, I feel him pull me back a little. As I turned around I saw him kneeling down and my brother at the corner of the bridge taking a video. It took me a couple of seconds to realize what was going on, I was definitely not expecting it. It was perfect and beautifully un-expected! We are getting married in July 27 in Mexico! Cannot wait.

Curator's Note: My heart is exploding with happiness right now. This all belongs on Netflix. Wishing you the most beautiful wedding in Mexico. (Funny note, before editing, "kneeling" had a typo and it said "keeling" and all I could picture was some poor guy "keeling over" from pre-proposal jitters hehe).

Have you learnt each other's languages? 
Not yet! He understands a bit of Spanish because of his background in Italian…. I will be starting Swedish lessons pretty soon! 

Curator's Note: I'm surprised you didn't say he basically understands Spanish. I've always had these bizarre experiences where Italians and Spanish-speakers can have full conversations with each other without switching their native language. True story, actually happened to me in Cuba when I wanted to practice Spanish with the bartender and my Italian boyfriend (now-husband) just took over the conversation in Italian. Boo him. 

Any advice for mixed/long-distance couples?
Have an open-mind when it comes to different mentalities. Having different cultures and beliefs can tend to get in the way in many situations. However, you can always “meet in the middle” in order to make everyone happy. ​

Submitted by Paula.

Here's how you can connect with them:
Instagram: @lovers.abroad ​

A huge, heartfelt thanks to Paula and Pontus 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. 

Here are our past Love Stories in no particular order: 
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Alicha and Dennis
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Arachi and Ciro
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Genia and Mattia
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Amanda and Michelangelo​
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Carmela and Paolo
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 and Riccardo
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Rachel and 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 and Massi
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Tiffany and Adam
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Angela and Davide
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Kristie and Graziano
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Brittni and Alberto
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Maddie and Gio
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Jennie and Davide
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Lauren and Luigi
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Rebecca and Leonardo
​LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Jennifer and James