​Weathering the Storm with the WP#206

Wow, what can I say, after last week’s long-winded post, and the bureaucratic progress that has been made, and more has been accomplished. Now, my residency is official, so we can ship the stuff across the pond, and not have to pay customs duties and today, we added more to the list and more accomplished on the list. All this is very good news, but all is small compared to what today is. Today, appropriate enough is our 1st wedding anniversary. Can you believe it has been one year, today, since we were married in Las Vegas, at the Graceland Wedding Chapel? We have been through so much since then and everything leading to that day one year ago. ​

If you need a short refresher, here you go which is also the piece I have written to her, as I hear that paper is the symbol of the 1st wedding anniversary and don’t worry there is more to come. 

Five years ago, today, I was simply a travel agency owner on a business trip to Rome. I was not looking for anything and, to be honest, was really not in a good place. I was overweight, my past, family, living arrangements, and relationships bad, and certainly was not looking for a relationship. Business was business, and that is why I was here in Rome. I remember being asked if I would like to check out a tour of one of my colleagues at ETOA’s Viva Italy and I accepted, not knowing what to expect. ​

I remember making my way, first and foremost, on that warm February day to the Hard Rock Café for lunch to enjoy my buffalo wings and perhaps a burger; really, don’t remember. Then, I waddled my way over to the Galleria Borghese, where I was to meet a guide who would share the art and sculpture of the gallery. While I had been to Rome on a number of occasions, as far back as 1985, it was my first time to the Borghese. I had no expectations, except to experience something new that I could recommend, through my colleague’s company, experiences, as part the adventures here to Rome then and now for my valued clients. ​

What I did not expect, even in my wildest dreams was to fall in love on that day, for me, the most beautiful lady in the world, one who shared her passion for her craft. Her knowledge and her approach were mesmerizing. The moment I laid my eyes on her, I could not take my eyes off of her. She was stunningly beautiful and still is to this day. She had such a bubbly personality (still does), and made what, for me, would have been a routine museum visit, into something exciting and enticing. I learned much that day. Her style was not like other guides and so, I was much more attentive. How could I not be? I was falling in love with her each moment that passed, her voice, her personality, her beauty, and her passion, and I could not get her out of my system. ​

How would it be possible that this could turn into something at all, let alone something very special? This overweight guy, here a few days on business; she, this amazingly beautiful young lady simply doing her job and doing it magnificently. I was not looking and why would she even have an interest in me? Leaving in a few days, and just like other tours I had taken over the years, it was nice, and that was it. Not this tour and the feeling inside me. Something was very different. While it would be some time, develop very slowly, with all the bumps in the road, here we are five years later, celebrating our first wedding anniversary. As she would say, how’s possible. 

All the trials and tribulations, since that first meeting, the pandemic, the “first” date we had a few days after our first chance encounter, our 16 months apart staying in touch via WhatsApp video chats, my return 16 months to the day we met, back in Rome, the world opening and everything since, including her coming to America for the first time when I first proposed on this day, three years ago at the top of the Mark in San Francisco, only to be told that she was not ready; she asking for an open proposal, which I did not understand. She did, however, not say no, my second proposal here in Rome, she says yes, two years ago, today, and her return to America, to be wed to me in Las Vegas, just last year on this day. She did not want an Italian wedding, but an Elvis wedding, so that is what we had. ​

So today, we celebrate our first wedding anniversary together, amazing throughout and not without its challenges, but a decision I will never second guess. My home is here in Italy, and my heart is with you. You shot cupid’s arrow into me that fateful February 19th, 5 years ago and I never looked back. Home is where the heart is. Rosa, you stole my heart that day, as the guide, and now you are my bride, and I couldn’t be happier. I know pursuing you and your love was the right thing that day, as crazy a thought as can be, and telling my friends and colleagues, I am going to marry that lady some day and here we are. And it was the right decision then and still is. So many twists and turns. ​

I believe in us and our future, as crazy and busy as our lives have become, and even if we are a “boring” couple, sometimes, and sometimes a “fun” couple. We will make it together and get through these challenges together. Most importantly, I look forward to more anniversaries together for the rest of our lives. I love you Rosa, with all of my heart and soul and never want to be without you, near and far. You mean the world to me and there is no place I would rather be, than with you, in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, to death do us part.  I definitely would marry you again and again and again.
In any case, and as always, thank you so much for your support now and into the future as we start the second year of our marriage. Rosa asked me what I want for our first anniversary, and I said, simply more anniversaries with. Ciao, ciao for now and stay happy, healthy, and safe!!!