One score and almost six years ago, my cousin Liz and I were born 23 hours apart (she’s older, but I’m taller). As you can imagine, we grew up close. We got a lot of duplicate gifts, invented a secret language, played imaginary games which required accents, and choreographed elaborate dances to Beatles songs.
Tomorrow we’re realizing a goal we’ve had for fifteen years: to go to Italy together, and visit the town where our great-grandfather Alessio was born and raised.
Years ago we promised each other that the first time we go to Italy it will be together, and it will be to see where our family is from. We talked about it during college breaks, but it was never the right time. Sometimes I wondered if we would ever make it happen. This year though, the timing was right. Or we made the timing right. Goals don’t happen because the stars align, they happen because of dedication, prioritization, and patience.
I’m thrilled to be making this goal-of-years happen. This trip is meaningful not only to discover where my family is from with Liz, but to get some distance and perspective from my current situation. A change in routine and new surroundings often help us reevaluate our lives and see them in new light. I want to consider: what goals are next?
Travel-wise, the strategy is to travel like a gentlewoman and pack like I live. This is what packing looks like so far (it’ll be a busy evening):
And this is where we’re going:
Here’s to achieving goals!
(1. Me [l] and Liz [r] with our grandpa. He was born to Italian immigrants Alessio and Carmella in Brooklyn; 2. photo taken by Eva Jannotta; 3. photo source here. You can follow our travels on Instagram!)
