Falling in love with the Italian language has been one of the more beautiful surprises of my life.
Growing up in an Italian-American family, with a grandfather who, as a teenager, emigrated from Puglia in southern Italy to America, Italy was no big deal to me. I never intended to learn Italian, and I especially never expected to love every moment of it…read more on Studentessa Matta (honored to be featured there!)
Prayers & Piazzas 
You write about the language “empowering” you, and that must be so true. Part of my heritage is Portuguese, and yet it’s not one of my strongest languages, something I keep wanting to fix but keep on puttig off because life interferes. It bothers me and it’s like something’s missing … By the way, where exactly in Puglia did your grandfather come from?
Maybe Portugal can be your 15th country? 🙂 I love the Italian word for Portugal — Portogallo. My grandfather came from Bari. Our family home is still there!
Puglia is my favourite region in Italy, and I’ve been there many times, both for work and on short and long holidays. Actually my SO is in Bari right now 🙂
What a beautiful story, Stacy… Thank you for share it. ❤
Thank you so much, Stefania. ❤
Reblogged this on Make Italy Yours.
So nice hearing your experiences Stacy. Puglia is special to me too and great that you have roots from there. Let me tell you how much I appreciate your use of Italian words in each post. You are learning since 6 years and that is commendable with 3 kids!! I am no one to compare in front of you since its been just year but piano piano ll get there too ❤ Lovely to know you carissima!
Tante grazie, cara Ishita! Your words mean so much to me! Piano piano is definitely my motto in learning Italian. We’ll all get there together someday and celebriamo con un prosecco o bichierre di vino! 🙂 Happy we found each other here. Tante belle cose. ❤
Once you start speaking this beautiful language, you begin to think like an Italian. Even the mundane takes on a romantic hue. I have noticed this when I ask my husband to lend a hand around the house, for example; if I use Italian, I get a much better response than when I use English. Not quite sure why. Maybe the endearments sound more attractive. Maybe my voice softens a little. I don’t know, but it works.
Wonderful, Annmarie! That’s motivation enough to keep learning Italian — maybe it would work on my kids too? 🙂 Blessings.
Love you Cuz….
Can’t wait to visit Italy….
I can’t wait for you to visit! You are going to love it! love you too…