Love Letter- Lettera d’amore

Today is all about friendship and love. I wanted to share with you my love story, which has lasted forty-some years since the first day I exchanged cards with my boyfriend.

Oggi è San Valentino e volevo condividere con voi la mia storia d’amore che è durata fin ora, quasi 40 anni. E sicuramente andrà oltre.

Strangely enough, both cards depicted a couple by the sea.

In 1979 we met at the plant where we both worked. My boyfriend now hubby was shy at the time, and he still is.

We were dating for a few months, and then he left for Italy to spend Christmas with his family. A few days passed, and I felt so lonely without him. He would only be gone for two weeks. No problem, right?

 I decided to write a love letter.

Here’s the card I mailed to him in Italy.

At the time, it was snail mail, and by the time his parents received it, he was back by my side again, in Canada. Well then… here’s the surprise. Years later, I found out that his mother had had her niece translate it for her. You can’t imagine how embarrassed I was. But…my future mother-in-law had kept the card stashed away in a drawer which I found after she passed away, poor soul. I’m thankful she kept it.

Here’s what I wrote in French with a pinch of Spanish because it was the only way we could communicate at the time.

Here’s a quick translation in English:

My love Franco,

These are the only words I know in Italian (Te Amo, it’s Spanish and not Italian). I miss you so much. I feel so lonely without you. I always think of you, your love and affection, and your smile. All that I was seeking in a man and that man is you. I hope you feel the same way. What are you doing now in Italy? I would love to be with you on the beach at sunset. Hold you tightly in my arms. Franco…come back to me “subito” = Now. And so, on and so on…. Signed, I love you (my second name Ann, his surname, Ponta)

Anna Ponta???

Then my Franco gave me this card.

Insieme tutto ha un altro significato. Serpente ti AAmo

Translated, something like this: Your Love has brought a whole new meaning to my life.

Literally – Snake I love you. Why snake? Because I was mischievous at times and sneaky perhaps, aren’t all women? But meant in a lovingly way, obviously.

I called him octopus, try to guess why?

We were so young then. I was lucky to find such a good man to marry. We’ll celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary in November 2020.

Something to inspire you at whatever age. Just remember to be young at heart. Love is forever, no matter what age. Remember that first date, remember that first kiss.

Can you share a love story with me too?