Woman promptly tossed three coins into Trevi Fountain, immediately encounters husband-to-be afterward
Catherine Tondelli stood beneath the ambient glow of Rome's Trevi Fountain, her heart swelling with excitement. After years of consuming movies and books set in Italy, this awe-inspiring moment had finally arrived. The dazzling display of marble figures, bathed in moonlight, took her breath away.
"It was astounding," Catherine confesses to CNN Travel today, reminiscing about the magical evening of a blue moon. "The fountain was majestic, like nothing I'd ever seen before."
Standing alongside her mother, Mary Lee, Catherine felt an encouraging nudge to embrace the age-old tradition of tossing coins into the Trevi Fountain and making a wish. Mary Lee delved into her purse, pulling out three coins and pressing them into Catherine's palm.
"My darling," Mary Lee said, "With this trip, you've given me so much joy. I think it's high-time you found someone special. Go ahead and make your wish."
Catherine, single but content with her life, followed Mary Lee's directions and tossed the coins over her shoulder. It felt just like in the movies. Then, unexpectedly, she heard a voice urging her to toss the coins with her left hand instead, a seemingly small change with profound consequences.
As she turned around, she found herself face-to-face with Fausto Mezzana, an Italian stranger destined to alter her life forever.
Their chance encounter occurred in the summer of 1999, during Catherine's visit to Rome with Mary Lee. A resident of California, Catherine had grown skeptical about the possibility of finding a partner who would cheerlead her dreams and ambitions, following a string of difficult relationships.
However, Catherine found happiness in her life, comforted by the companionship of her cats and her fulfilling job at a major cosmetics company. When her employer offered her a dream trip to Italy, she jumped at the chance and invited Mary Lee to join her on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
The trip was nothing short of magnificent, from Venice to Florence, culminating in the enchanting heart of Rome on their final night.
"Mom suggested we visit the Trevi Fountain," Catherine recalls, "and that's how I found myself making three wishes—and running into Fausto."
Soon after, Fausto explained the legend behind the fountain's coins, sharing the traditional meanings associated with each coin:
"The first coin symbolizes a return trip to Rome; the second coin represents finding love in this beautiful city, and the third coin stands for a marriage to a Roman."
Catherine's laughter aroused her curiosity, and when Fausto learned that they had no idea about the tradition's significance, he educated them and commented on their serendipitous encounter.
"Fausto struck a chord with my mother instantly, thanks to their shared background in aviation careers," Catherine says. "They spoke at length about their work, while my eyes remained fixed on Fausto, who kept stealingmy glances."
The chemistry between them was electrifying, and the Italians believe in love at first sight, or "colpo di fulmine," as they say. Catherine couldn't shake the feeling that the fountain's magic had indeed worked for her.
Though she didn't believe every wish would come true, the intimacy and clarity she felt in Fausto's presence left her wondering if destiny had entered her life.
A nocturnal journey through Rome
Fausto, much like Catherine, hadn't ever believed he'd find true love. At 45, he'd experienced a handful of relationships but none that lasted. He enjoyed his job with an Italian airline and acting in television commercials but longed for a partner to share his life with.
"I remember thinking, 'My life can't go on like this,'" he confesses to CNN Travel. "When I met Catherine at the fountain, it felt like a gift from the heavens."
Like Catherine, he cherished the company of Mary Lee, who he found to be "sweet, understanding, and empathetic."
A sense of magic pervaded the evening, fueled by the romantic ambiance of Rome and the captivating allure of the Trevi Fountain. Catherine, Fausto, and Mary Lee continued their conversation, basking in the enchantment of the moment.
When Fausto learned that Catherine and Mary Lee had only just arrived in Rome, he generously offered to tour them around his beloved city. They agreed to meet again at Piazza Navona later that night.
Though Catherine was charmed by Fausto, she admits to being hesitant due to meeting him under such sudden circumstances. Her mother, however, was confident that something meaningful was unfolding.
As Fausto arrived in a sleek car, Mary Lee exclaimed in wonder, while Catherine felt a pang of disappointment as the romantic spectacle she had envisioned from romantic movies seemed to falter. However, once inside the car, the discomfort dissipated as they embarked on a dreamlike tour of famous Rome landmarks.
Fausto shared stories of his life in Rome, captivating Catherine and overcome by the charm of the city and her new Italian companion.
As the night wound down, Mary Lee bid them farewell, ceding the evening to Catherine and Fausto. The two continued to converse and laugh, their connection deepening with every passing moment.
When the evening finally came to an end, Fausto invited Catherine to visit him at his house, where he played his piano—a sight that left Catherine speechless and touched, as they both shared a love for music.
"I knew in that moment that I'd found something extraordinary," Catherine confides, her smile never fading as she recalls that night. "The wish I made at the Trevi Fountain was coming true in ways I never anticipated, and I couldn't have been happier."
The next day, Fausto took Catherine and Mary Lee out for dinner, the three of them spending the evening getting to know each other better. Before Catherine's flight back to California, she handed Fausto her business card, hoping to keep in touch.
As she stepped aboard the plane, she couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness and uncertainty about their future together, still unsure if the magic of the fountain's wishes would come to fruition.
A surprise second chance
That doubt didn't last long, as weeks later, Fausto reached out to Catherine, eager to see her again for a chance at a potential future. Despite her leaving California for Rome, they managed to maintain their long-distance relationship primarily through their complimentary airline tickets. The trials and tribulations of the early months were grim, but both made a conscious effort to make things work.
Months turned into years, but the allure of one another's company kept their relationship alive. In time, they decided to move to Rome together, cementing their bond and living out the dream that had sprung from a chance encounter at the Trevi Fountain.
"Our love was strong," Catherine says with conviction. "We were willing to do whatever it takes to make it last."
Fast forward to today, 25 years after that faithful night, and the couple still resides in the enchanting city of Rome, having built a life based on their shared love and dreams. Though they haven't had children, they remain contented with the life they've created together.
Catherine's romantic encounters in Italy led her to question her perspective on love-and-dating, as she found herself falling for Fausto, an Italian stranger, whom she met at the Trevi Fountain. This chance encounter occurred during her trip to Rome with her mother, Mary Lee, and marked a turning point in her relationships.
With time, Catherine and Fausto fostered a strong relationship that defied distance, rooted in their shared life interests and spurred by their disparate careers in aviation. Their bond not only stemmed from their love but also from their mutual appreciation for travel and the impact it had on their lifestyle, drawing them ever closer to each other.
