Bella Scipione

Oct 07 2022

It has been an incredibly emotional 72 hours. Today, G and I had to say goodbye to our Aussie’s. Jesse, Michael, Callan, and Dane became four of our best mates throughout this trip. We spent almost every minute together over the past three days. The six of us shared lots of laughs, drank plenty of drinks, and even shed a couple of tears. G and I both feel eternally grateful to know each of them and will miss their “mad” banter and sweet hearts.

I want to thank each of these boys, especially Jesse, for helping me fall in love with life again. I went through a really difficult breakup about a year ago and have struggled to trust new people that come into my life. Heartbreak is a form of grief. It is edged by the fear that joy has forever escaped you. Being in love is not just about lust and physical intimacy. Love challenges you to completely open up your mind, body, and spirit. It is one of the hardest, but easily the most beautiful, human emotions.

My week spent with Jesse allowed me to open my heart up and feel. Jesse enjoys going on runs around the world, eating chocolate, and travelling with his best mates. We spent our days laughing, bickering, and walking hand-in-hand through the streets of three spectacular Italian cities. We scootered around Rome, recharged in Naples, and grew together in Positano. I think Jesse and I are very different people, but balance each other well. I am someone who is very chill and go with the flow. Jesse has a sense of urgency that pushes me to learn more about the world around me. He is honest (sometimes too honest), goofy, and considerate.

I wish I had more words to express how much our relationship really means to me. I am overwhelmed with emotions. Because although our little story seems like a fairy tale, it is very much real. Jesse has become one of the most important people in my life and I will cherish each of our perfect moments together forever.

While this part of G and I’s trip has looked a little different than the rest, it has been some of the best days of our lives. We will never experience something so magical again. The tears that have been shed in the last 24 hours are evidence of the joy that has filled our hearts. One of the saddest parts about traveling is leaving people that you grow to love. My friend, Alex, said that “love is freedom”. The freedom to express yourself, to be vulnerable, and to live life with intention and presence. As we near the end of our trip, we feel the love grow deeper. Next stop, Barcelona.