Jessica in Rome

Jessica’s Bio

Jun 27th, 2007 by Jessica

My name is Jessica, and I was born in Spokane, Washington in 1983. I lived in Spokane for 18 years and upon graduating from East Valley High School in 2002 I packed up everything I could fit into my Honda CRX, quit my long time job at the donut shop and drove to Seattle. I lived in the basement of a friend while I enrolled in a Massage Therapy school.

In 2003 I received my license and began practicing in my own shop. Less than a year later I burned out on touching sometimes iffy people and decided it was time to go to ‘real’ school. I got my AA at North Seattle Community College and began working for a engineering company in Bothell, WA. At the company Christmas party in 2005 I won the grand prize in the raffle. What did I get? Two round trip tickets to anywhere in Europe.

Around this time, due to my job, the only thing I really did for fun was watch TV. I was obsessed with the HBO series on Rome and decided that was the destination I was going to use the tickets for. I talked my roommate into coming with me and that May we were off to our two week adventure in Rome.

The trip changed my life in many ways, not only did I fall in love with Rome, seeing a different country and a different culture made me realize how lame my life was. I used to think I was cool for moving to Seattle, a few hours away from home, but I needed more.

Upon return of my Roman Holiday, I moved out of my apartment and gave notice to my job. I also put off transferring to a university so I could get out there and live. With a few thousand bucks and the promise of CouchSurfing, I flew to London. There I met amazing people, saw more new things and reassured myself I did the right thing. Next up was Rome again, I wanted to see the things I had missed and instead of staying in a hostel, I could be hosted by a real Italian person. That’s when I met Daniele.

He was my couch host and we became fast friends. Every time I thought about moving on I just couldn’t. He even told me to stay till Christmas if I wanted. The attraction grew more and more and my money less and less. As much I didn’t want to leave after a few months I knew I had to get back home (my dream of magically finding a job that would allow me to stay forever faded very fast). It was heart wrenching because I really felt I was leaving someone great in Rome.

After I went home, BROKE, I ended up staying with my mom and even got my old job back at the donut shop to help me get back on my feet while I was really job hunting. I felt 16 again, but at least I had taken risks and even let myself love again.

I missed Daniele terribly and come to find out, he missed me too.

After a few months he just came out and asked me to come live there. Without dwelling on the hows and what ifs, I did it again. I quit my job and sold my car and bought a one way ticket to Daniele.

We got married in a small, civil ceremony on April 20^th, 2007 and had our huge American-Italian wedding in October 2007. So much has changed, but all for the better. If you put your heart out there and take risks, happiness will find you.

These days I am finishing up my Bachelors Degree with the distance learning program at my University. Daniele and I are planning our (99% probability) move to Verona. D was offered a position with NATO and I am looking forward to experiencing a new Italian city.

15 Responses to “Jessica’s Bio”

on 28 Jun 2007 at 5:10 pm1Tina

AND you’re from Washington like me. Hooray.
on 29 Jun 2007 at 10:56 am2BellaDolce

oh…so this is how it all happened?! Stories like this are such a huge inspiration to me. I really need to get my act together and LIVE!

=)
on 13 Jul 2007 at 2:18 pm3Mark

You made my trip in to work today worth my time…I just discovered expat-blog thanks to your links on the side. Keep up the good work.
on 22 Jul 2007 at 4:06 pm4starstruck10784

wow. after reading ur od i decided to look at this awsome webite. after looking around i really feel like i know you. i can honestly say that i am glad things have worked out so well for you.
on 27 Jul 2007 at 5:35 pm5Heather

I love your story. It’s just wonderful! Congratulations on taking risks and proving they’re often worthwhile.
on 19 Aug 2007 at 1:26 am6Missy

Congrats! I’m in love with an Italian man as well, but I’m stuck here in the states. How did you get a visa to move there at first (before getting married)?
on 02 Oct 2007 at 8:23 pm7Jill

Hi Jessica- Your story is great, and I’d love some advice- my boyfriend and I live in Seattle and he just got a job at the University of Torino, so we’re going but I won’t have a work permit… can you email me with some advice?
on 09 Nov 2007 at 3:15 am8vic

This is just a wonderful story. It sounds like a movie. It should be made into a movie script. You could be rich. Diane Lane could play the part of you and you could be receiving royalty checks and be treated like royalty and become a famous writer. I hope all these things happen for you.
on 11 Mar 2008 at 4:54 am9Cheryl

Wow, what an inspiring story.
When I was in Rome, it captured my heart too and I have been yearning to return, even as the plane lifted off the tarmac.
It’s been two years since I’ve been there and the yearning is building and building, so I must return…something or, someone is waiting there for me.
Your story was great and I was feasted on every word.
Like Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz,
“There’s no place like Rome”
“There’s no place like Rome”
on 14 Mar 2008 at 8:42 pm10Sarah

Awww, I am so happy your life has worked out so wonderfully and you are in Roma (I am deeply envious)

I had a similar but online love match with an Okie (I am a Brit’ and I went from London to RURAL Oklahoma! I love him deeply but sometimes wish he’d been Italian, c’os I taly is my fave country in the world.

I have visited Roma 3 times in my life and we hope to visit as a couple in the future, he just needs to soak it all up too!
on 25 Mar 2008 at 2:51 am11stevie

your story is really awsome, I am currently a student at East Valley High school and I am traveling to Ireland, Wales, Europe and a few other places with Mrs.Siepp. I hope everything works out for you and Daniele.
on 18 Apr 2008 at 4:20 am12Ginny at School

Omigosh! Thank you for sharing your blog! If I end up in Italy, I will be blaming you for sharing your awesome intro in MGT 435!
on 19 Apr 2008 at 3:34 pm13Keith

I’ve been reading your blog. I’m really impressed by your perseverance and your determination to do what you want. Good luck with your move!
on 25 Apr 2008 at 7:40 pm14Holly

Ciao!

Wow this is really inspiring… I have almost been in Rome a month myself having had the ‘there’s more to life’ realisation… I’ve come out to be an au-pair and the family are great. And yes.. I’m in love with Rome! I don’t know how anyone could spend time here and not end up loving it! I’m only staying until the end of July but am already trying to think of ways to come back… maybe I’ll meet my own lovely Roman guy! My only problem at the moment is not really knowing anyone my own age to socialise with! But hopefully I’ll settle in soon. reading this has made me really glad I bit the bullet and moved here despite being terrified and not knowing anyone. thanks for sharing your experiences!
on 18 Jun 2008 at 4:44 pm15Katie

You have done things that so many people would wish they could do, taken so many risks. You know what? This is what life should be about. Your story is inspiring to so many people. Congrats on your marriage(a year late) Hope more of your dreams come true, as if they wouldn’t. If you dream it, it will manifest!
piacere, sono Kate.