Ava in Italia

After The Great Venetian Ring Dive, our group dragged ourselves back from Venice to Florence the next morning. We were utterly exhausted. In less than two weeks, we had bounced from Florence to Rome, on to Venice, and now back again. Our professors had warned that we needed to be up and ready for the 7 am train into Florence for a photo shoot to promote the TMUI program. 

Collectively we were less than thrilled. Sleep deprivation and post-travel fatigue had hit us hard. However, getting ready for a photoshoot at a church overlooking all of Florence sparked excitement amongst the students. Dr Horner had declared that it would be a “day we would never forget.” Little did we know how right he was.

After getting our groggy group off the train, we began our walk winding through the city streets towards the start of the trail. As we got to the first lookout over the city, Dr Horner stopped us and stated ominously, “This is the second most romantic place in all of Florence.” 

We continued up the zigzagging path, eventually reaching a clearing near the church. The professors gathered us together and gave us strict instructions: no peeking at the view of Florence until after touring the church. They wanted the view to be a shared experience. So, hands over our eyes, we waddled into the church one by one. 

“It is vital that you do not see the view until we tell you to look!”, they reminded us.

As we wandered in the church, Natalie Perkins, one of the TMUI staff members, collected all the girls’ purses claiming they “weren’t allowed” in this specific church. Now things were getting weird. Dr Horner’s ominous comments, the purse ban, and a mysterious photo shoot on top of a hill? Something was clearly up.

Natalie pulled Ashley, who had recently lost a special ring, aside and told her to go outside to talk about details from the Rome and Venice trip. A few moments later, Ashley emerged from the church still dutifully covering the view. “Ashley,” Natalie said gently, “you should look over there.”

Ashley turned and froze. There stood Adam, her boyfriend, whom she had been on the phone with less than 48 hours earlier, tearfully confessing the lost ring. She was in shock. Before she fully processed what was happening, Adam dipped down onto one knee and proposed to his awestruck girlfriend.

At that moment, everything clicked. This was the most romantic spot in Florence. 

The happy couple walked down the church stairs into the gardens for a private moment. Meanwhile little James (the youngest Perkins) burst into tears, convinced that Ashley and Adam’s marriage meant they wouldn’t be his friends anymore. In true toddler logic, he began launching rocks at them as they walked away, blissfully unaware of the tiny attacker behind them. 

Ashley’s rings had quite the adventure. From a heartbreaking loss in Venice to a proposal far more beautiful than anyone could have planned. Watching her shock and joy reminded me that while she was deeply mourning, the Lord had something even better planned for her. Days like this are why I love to travel, not just for the views and food, but for the unexpected stories you get to live out.