Ci sposiamo!Ci sposiamo!

It all began in April of 2021, when fate brought us together through my cousin, who served in the Army National Guard with Jadern. After a few casual encounters, our connection truly began to bloom during a long, peaceful walk on Narragansett Beach with my dog, Buddy—a walk that felt like the start of something real. From there, our love grew effortlessly. We found joy in the little things: workouts at the gym, sun-drenched afternoons at the beach, and listening to our favorite artist, Russ, with the windows down and our hearts open. What started as a spark became a deep, unwavering bond. On June 3rd, after nearly three years together, Jadern proposed in one of the most heartfelt and meaningful moments of our lives. At the time, I was grieving the recent loss of my beloved dog, Buddy. He had been by my side through so many chapters of my life, including the very beginning of my relationship with Jadern. The proposal was everything I could have hoped for—intimate, romantic, and full of love. I had been asked by my cousin’s fiancée to help with a styled photoshoot for a photographer, and that she needed a few girls to model on the beach. So naturally, her best friend and I got dressed up—hair curled, makeup done, dresses flowing in the breeze. I had my suspicions, though. Jadern was acting… off. Sweet, but nervous. And still, I didn’t fully believe it was happening. We arrived at Beavertail State Park in Jamestown, Rhode Island, a place I had always found peaceful and beautiful. The ocean was calm, the sky glowing with soft light. I was asked to take a solo photo facing the water, so I turned toward the waves, soaking in the moment, unaware of what was unfolding behind me. Then, I heard something—footsteps, the kind that make your heart beat faster. I turned around slowly, and there he was. Jadern was down on one knee, the ocean behind him, his hands shaking just a little as he looked up at me with the most heartfelt smile. Time stood still. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing—it was like a dream. All I remember was saying yes through happy tears, overwhelmed with love and disbelief. It was perfect. Simple. Personal. Us. Why Italy? Planning our wedding felt like a dream finally coming to life. For as long as I can remember, I’ve envisioned getting married in Italy—la terra dei miei nonni, the land of my grandparents. After losing three of them, including my Nonna, this dream became something even deeper. I wanted to feel close to her again, to bring my family together in the place where her story began. Italy, to us, is more than just a romantic backdrop—it’s a return to our roots. After the wedding, we’ll travel with my family to visit the town my Nonna grew up in, and then continue on to my Nonno’s hometown with him by our side—a moment that has been a lifelong dream of mine and my family’s. To walk the same streets they once did, to breathe in the same air—it will be a journey of love, memory, and homecoming. When searching for a venue, I came across Monastero Santa Margherita in Todi, Umbria, and felt an instant connection. As if guided by something greater, we later received a bottle of wine at our engagement party with the same name as the venue—a sign we couldn’t ignore. Then, while exploring Rome during our venue-scouting trip in March 2025, we saw a poster with the name of the venue on a random street corner—over an hour from Todi. It felt meant to be. And when we finally arrived… it was. With sweeping views of the Umbrian hills, space to host our closest friends and family, and a quaint, sun-soaked village surrounding it, Monastero Santa Margherita felt like a dream made real. It will be the place where two hearts, two families, and two histories come together as one. We cannot wait to share this unforgettable journey with the people we love most. -Jenna