Monday 16 May 2011

Promessa

I'm still here, still alive and well but so, so busy. I work 6 days a week, spend the majority of my free time playing with bel bambino, and the other random free moments are spent planning our wedding which is only 7 weeks away! So much to do still!


We made our promessa on Saturday...I almost didn't make it, what with the Giro D'Italia (the national bike race) taking place without my knowledge and blocking my roads home, forcing me to cry like a lunatic in front of the carabinieri, befriending some locals who half escorted me through the Calabrian mountains until finally, finally I got home, thanks to an old man that is who thankfully was wandering the mountains and was able to tell me I was driving in the wrong direction and had to turn back.

So, with hair still wet and a blood shot eye from having had a way too fast shower I made it to the comune and promised myself to my bel fidanzato. The promessa is done in the church and the town hall (the church only if you then intend to marry in the church.) You have to sign legal documents saying you are both free to marry, and that within 6 months you will marry. I hope we can marry within 6 months, in 7 weeks to be precise...it depends on my mother really. Whilst we had the church promessa Friday night, the priest casually let slip that I needed a freedom of marriage certificate signed by the bishop....What?!!! He forgot to tell me earlier. Yeah, thanks buddy. I knew I had to get copies of my baptism and confirmation certificate and mum had taken care of that, but what on earth is this freedom to marry thing. I don't live in Australia, I haven't lived there for about 9 years and my mum's parish priest doesn't even know me so how am I to get this document... As the Italians say boh!

8 comments:

LindyLouMac said...

Lovely news that the promessa is done, if it was somewhat stressful, hope your Mum manages to get the document sorted quickly.

liz said...

So glad that you made it to your promessa. What a beautiful picture of you and the two most important men in your life...

Heddi Goodrich said...

So interesting about the promessa: I didn't realize it was a legal thing, even after all those years of living in Naples - che ignorante! Lovely photo of you three. Congratulations!

Carolina said...

You look beautiful! Can't believe it's almost here... best wishes for everything ahead of you and your family! See you soon in Malito!

Sarah Elizabeth said...

What a beautiful photo of your little family. You must be so excited about your wedding.

I think the freedom of marriage thing you can get from the Australian embassy in Italy. Hope you manage to get everything sorted in time.

Lots of love x x

Lucas Kain said...

The photo is nice, but I believe all of you would be even more beautiful in person! How is the life going there?

___
call Australia

PeterP said...

All the best to you and your family, Leanne. My girls are I are planning to leave Melbourne for Italy too - "just cos we want to"....I will keep a look out on your blog - its fantastic to read your stories. Peter.

Iaia said...

Hello Your blog is amazing! I'm italian, and my dream is living in Australia. I like nature and healty food. Where do you think I should start my visit?