Why I Stayed in Rome

I moved to Rome as a student.

I planned to stay for 1 year.

And 6 weeks after I arrived, I met Jimmy.

Feyonce shirt

When the year was up, we had a serious conversation.

I had never planned to move to Italy to fall in love with an Irishman, but I did.

I was ready to leave Rome, but he was not, so I stayed.

Irish wedding bouquet

Ultimately, moving to Rome was the best thing I ever did.

Staying in Rome took a lot of work.

It took plenty of visa appointments and bureaucracy.

However, I realized that was more than worth it because I was able to be with a man who supports me and pushes me to be my best. A man who thinks about the world in a different way, and complements my practicality with his artistic vision.

wedding pearls

And so, we were married on July 31,2015.

104_Natalie & Jimmy_1000px

I wore my mother’s pearls and my very own Italian wedding shoes.

Irish church wedding

Jimmy was the first person who ever really showed me Rome.

He convinced me to love his adopted city. To accept the good and the bad.

170_Natalie & Jimmy_1000px

We were married 1 year ago today, on a terribly rainy and cold July day in Ireland.

It was a small church, filled with friends and family from all over the world.

It was a wonderful day because he was there.

Happy Anniversary, Jim.

Thank you for being the best reason to stay anywhere you are.

366_Natalie & Jimmy_1000px

 

17 thoughts on “Why I Stayed in Rome

  1. dena landry says:

    Natalie i have been following your blog from the beginning, when you had to leave lots of your shoes behind, to wearing out your favorite boots. Went to all the places you liked and tried the cheeses and gelato places you suggested ,You made my Italy trip a success, I am so glad you met the love of your life, and got to stay in rome , So Happy for you and wish you and Jim Much Love and Happiness. Happy Aniversary , Your wedding looked like it was beautiful !!

    • Natalie says:

      Hi Dena — thank you very much for the best wishes and the continued encouragement! I am so glad you had such a lovely trip to Italy.

  2. G says:

    Happy anniversary ! Thanks for your inspiring posts about my favorite city. It keeps my dreams of living there someday , alive.

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  4. Christy says:

    This is beautiful! Congratulations, and thank you for sharing your experiences with us. Speaking as another who longs to live in Rome someday, your blog (and beautiful photos) provides a lovely taste of my favorite city when I’m missing it desperately. Which is every day, despite its faults and challenges. Here’s to another wonderful year for you and your husband!

  5. Dena L says:

    Hi Natalie , Dena here again , hard to believe another year has gone by, Want to wish you and hubby a happy anniversary, and best wishes in another year of Love and travel and blogging of course. And thank you for keeping a bit of Rome in my heart ,it keeps me going till I can make another visit . Blessings on your Anniversary.

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