Rome via Brooklyn

724 words, 4 minutes read time – DOUBLE POST
My Saturday night began at Zia’s house, my new favorite place to be. Little Mozzy greeted me from her sleeping place, and I spent the rest of the evening watching tv and having dinner with Zia. In just one week of practicing my Italian, I was able to communite with her so much better – something I am immensely grateful for. We both decided to get to bed early because we had to be up extra early to head to the wedding in Nepi.

The wedding venue was absolutely gorgeous, and the setup for the ceremony was so charming. Natural flowers wrapped around every pole, around the arch, and hung from little vases from the pergola overhead. The music was nice, though a bit loud at times – soft covers of some rock and pop songs. We were one of the first to arrive, but shortly after people started to trickle in. I got a little choked up seeing family that I haven’t seen in years – and most of them didn’t know I was here so it was a beautiful surprise.

I cried pretty much through the entire ceremony. The energy among the guests was high and the room was so full of love. The wedding was a little unorthodox – with my cousin being Italian and her (now) husband being Tunisian, it was a seamless blend of the two cultures, plus a few American traditions. Something I noticed were a lot of guests were wearing white, a big faux pas in the US. But my cousin confirmed that it was totally fine and very normal – no forbidden colors it seems. Once the ceremony concluded, we made our way inside for some apertivi and drinks. The prosecco flowed a little too easily, but I surely wasn’t complaining.

Surrounded by my family, I just couldn’t stop smiling. Ma che bella festa! The food was absolutely delicious, and in true Italian fashion, there was sooo much of it. After aperitivi, we had antipasti, pasta, prima, e secondo (and still lots and lots of prosecco). Everything was to die for, so good I was practically licking my plate clean. And the desserts! The freshest, sweetest fruits, the richest little pastries, and a delicious cake. And of course – un caffe.

Once the meal was done, the party was in full effect. I’m not much of a dancer (at least when I’m sober), so I played the part of the wallflower. Everyone was on their feet, dancing and cheering and having the time of their lives. I did get a little two-step action in for a song or two, but no more than that.

At one point, though, I had to step away to get a good cry in. My emotions were truly overwhelming, both good and bad (but mostly very good). I’m so much quicker to cry lately than I’ve ever been. It was all just so beautiful and I simply couldn’t contain myself. As happy as I was throughout the entire day, I couldn’t help but wonder when I’d get to see them all like this again. My family seemed to understand perfectly well, silently kissing my face and embracing me as I cried. We still have two more weeks in Italy, so I hope to spend a little more time with them all before I go home. I know that, realistically, I could book a ticket and see them whenever I want to – but time passes so easily and so quickly, how could I not be scared of it slipping through my fingers yet again? And with everyone getting older, my anxiety to see them all only heightens.

I was disappointed to not be able to go to the afterparty, but duty calls for both me and my aunt. Now, on my way back to Prati, I’m filled with mixed emotions. We’re sitting together quietly on this drive back and I’m trying my hardest to hold onto this amazing day. It’s truly a day I won’t forget, and one I’m absolutely honored to have been a part of. And even though I’m sad for the day to be over, I’m abundantly excited for the week ahead – particularly looking forward to Cerveteri and Pompeii.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, doing whatever it was that you did wherever you were. See you all bright and early tomorrow!