– Prof, would you marry me?
After a moment of bewilderment and a few laughs, it was immediately clarified that the matter was celebrating in the Town Hall, Palazzo Vecchio, the wedding of her, a promising architect who had graduated with me a few months before, to a young tutor of the order, on his way to a tough career but highly motivated.
What a beautiful couple those two young people were, two who gave good hope for the future of our troubled country, as I could say for many others – or even all. And what an honor for me: I don’t think there are many professors who can boast of such a proof of affection.
So one day I put on the tricolor sash.
At the ceremony we were all excited and moved: a beautiful day, a beautiful memory.
A few years later, however, the events of life – and the effects of some intrigue – led my two newlyweds to have to stay away from each other: he was sent in the deep south to face the organized underworld and the landings of desperate people, and she had to join the ranks of our graduates who are continuously welcomed by foreign universities. And nine thousand kilometers of distance certainly couldn’t help their marriage.
What a sorrow.
But now they are happy again, and that’s what matters.
