On our last full day in Rome, we decided to keep the cameras away and enjoy being in the final moments of this beautiful adventure. We slept in a little later than usual and had a long breakfast, enjoying the quietness that greeted every morning. We spent part of the morning in St. Peter’s Square, watching people come and go and talking about what else we would do if we ever returned. There was a bit of sadness in the conversations, as we both knew that this experience was coming to an end. We went to Campo de Fiori for lunch and made our way to the Piazza Navona. We spent the majority of the day there, listening to music and enjoying the vibe. We splurged on the final dinner of our trip and relaxed for the amount of time you’re supposed to enjoy your dinner in Italy. Small pangs in my heart became more frequent as the night moved on, as a reminder of the internal struggle of wanting to stay but knowing that was not even a possibility. Although this was the first time we both made a “big trip” like this, this experience opened my eyes to a whole new perspective of life. The simplicity and savoring of the sweet life that was evident and abundant in this country made me want to carry some of that with me back home. To be enveloped in a place with such great history and beauty was something I never thought I would experience, but was beyond grateful for the opportunity. As we walked back to our hotel, I once again realized how lucky we were to be here and live a different life for a short period of time.  I thought about how much I would miss our Italian grandma at the restaurant we came to love or the sirens of ambulances that would blast through the day and night. I would miss walking down alleys and finding treasures in the nooks and crevices or passing monks and nuns on their way to their important business. I would miss the smell of delicious food in the air and the sounds of pots and pans clinking against each other from the windows as families prepared their meals. As treacherous as it initially was, I would miss the craziness of crossing the streets as vespas zipped in and out of traffic and the Italian banter that would fill the air. As much as I would miss all of this, I am blessed to walk away with beautiful memories shared with my husband.
The next day, we would be on our way back home to our normal lives. But it can be said that this trip has changed both of our lives and sparked a more fervent interest to see the rest of the world and what it has to offer. Who knows what the future will hold for us, but I  know this is just the beginning.