Originally Posted by sands

Lorna this touched a chord with me. I met my oh on an internet site - after having gone out with a lot of no hopers I decided to go for broke and thought it would be a good idea to try and get to know about someone slowly and in my own time on the computer, rather than the usual fatal attraction scenarios I would go for, providing they weren't telling porkies on the site of course! I found that we had such a lot in common and my interest was definitely piqued, plus him living in another country didn't put me off in any way as I've lived all over the place anyway. At the same time, my darling grandmother started to have these awful mini strokes - she was the closest person to me as my mum and dad are both deceased - and I was going through an awful time with it all.

I cancelled a meeting with hubby -he was going to come over and we were to meet at last but I put it off as I was too worried about my gran. Hubby was the most understanding and sympathetic person I've ever known and immediately a stronger bond was formed as we had bad times before the good so to speak. She died shortly before we finally met and he is always supportive about my loss, and understands now about the Jewish custom of lighting a candle at the anniversary of a loved one's death, in fact, even making sure I had one on hand this last time!

Originally Posted by ballerina

I agree and since I would probably never had made it in Italy without having met tons of cyberguys/potential significant others (sad, but true) I think it is very relevant! a few years ago when i was working in London, tryign to save to get to italy, a friend in milan told me about a website where I could meet 'lots of interesting and good looking boys' (he knew I liked italian guys!) so he introduced me to the cheesiest, but actually most helpful tool in my moving to italy! I was bombarded with messages (and i reiterate as before, I am NOT a stunner, i think italian guys probably just like to fling their nets as far as possible when it comes to meeting girls), and I had guys fly me over to milan and rome just for dinner! (well probably not 'just' for dinner, you know? but i maintained my british reservedness, just to let you know eheh). Anyway, to get back to the point, I met tons of people who I have stayed in contact with who were absolutely essential in helping me move to Italy, settle in, find work, find apartments.. find romance! But my significant other now, I met him the usual english way.. in the Nag's Head pub!

Originally Posted by Patty

Lorna and Sands - your stories have made me cry ....(dont worry I'm a soppy sentimental nit and I think I have PMT at the mo ) but its so sad and makes me think of my dear old mum who is nearly 80 and I just dont get to see her enough - it makes me very sad. (sorry went off thread here didnt mean to )

Anyway - mine isnt a very romantic story - my OH came to my island to learn English (1980) and we both worked in the same hotel - we kept sort of exchanging glances over the sweet trolley ....and then one night at the disco he finally asked me for the slow dance (remember those were the days when the blokes would wait for the smoochy number and then hone in on all the girls ) A few months later he left to return to Italy and I was gutted and thought he'd just go off and forget me ....instead he asked me to join him when he got something sorted out. I wasn't sure whether to believe him - but after a few months of love letters (remember this was before the internet and mobiles ) and phone calls - sure enough I got on a plane and flew to Milan. We lived together a few years and got married in 1986 in Milan in the snow

Originally Posted by jenninitaly

Hi Lorna, one just never knows when they will meet the love of their life. Great story!

Originally Posted by jenninitaly

Hi ballerina - it sounds like you had a lot of fun! And as women, we tend to be super critical of ourselves - I am sure you are more of a stunner than you think.

So does this mean your guy is not Italian?

Originally Posted by ballerina

and bring them up in la spezia )

Originally Posted by ballerina

yep, he is a sailor! but he can't tie knots and he doesn't even work on the ship! he is at work now. I have been thinking of staying here all summer but i have to give 2 months notice on my place in rome.. and heading back to england in sept. but i'm coming back and i'll stay wherever he has to stay.

Originally Posted by ballerina

thanks! we both have our fingers crossed that we will win the lottery, never have to work again and can live on a yacht in the summer while george the butler looks after the mansion (his idea) in england, where we will be aristocrats lol but part time work could come in useful! in the meantime, if you knwo of any pubs in la spezia, let me know! I am so sick of the Mamma bar! (can't believe there is a bar called Mamma, but that's italy for you i suppose!)

ok sorry, off topic..!