Buonosera. The week in Italy has been educational, inspiring and nostalgic. It’s hard to believe that we will soon be heading home in a few days. Being in Verona has really brought the idea of “La Dolce Vita” to life and this may be one of my new favorite cities.

The day was evocative. It started with sipping Pinot Grigio amongst vineyards in the Italian Alps of Trento. The evening ended with dinner in a castle at Allegrini. In between the bookends of the day, we strolled through Verona to visit one of the most famous landmarks of the city, Casa di Giulietta or Juliet’s House.

For those of you that aren’t familiar, Juliet’s House is apparently the home of the Capulets from Romeo & Juliet.  Her home attracts marrieds, singles, the hopeful, the brokenhearted and more than your fai share of teenagers. People come to touch her statue for good luck (gracing the right side of her bust over her heart) and leave letters asking her for strength, luck, hope, peace, love, miracles, magic and blessings. Hopeless romantics come leave their letters in hopes that Juliet’s enduring spirit ails or prevents woeful acts against love.

I walk to the wall and read some of the notes. Some ask for peace of mind, some ask that Juliet protect their love from evil and some ask for their forlorn crush to love them back (oh teenage angst). Letters are written in english, italian, japanese, spanish, french and chinese. Each letter seems to represent unrequited and/or unconditional love. Despite Juliet’s tragic fate, it seems that the commitment of her love for Romeo is what seems to inspire these letter writers from around the world. My heart is comforted by the idea that all of these letters come from a global desire of hope in keeping the spirit of unyielding love alive. Watching the people pour their hearts out reminds me of a powerful verse that was shared with me:

“Now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13, NIV)

On this day, it is appropriate to spend a day like this surrounded by love and hope in the city of romance. May you all find a way to keep love alive. Love.