In June 1999, Catherine Tondelli, an American from California, found herself in Rome with her mother, Mary Lee, after winning a trip through her cosmetics company. On their first night, they visited the Trevi Fountain, where Catherine embraced the tradition of tossing three coins over her shoulder while making a wish. Her mother encouraged her, saying, "Honey, you took me on this beautiful trip. I think it’s time you met someone special. Make a wish." As Catherine threw the coins, a voice behind her remarked, “If you want the wish to come true, you must throw with the left hand, because it’s closer to your heart.” Turning around, she met Fausto Mezzana, an Italian local who would become her husband. Fausto explained the symbolism of the three coins: “The first coin, you come back to Rome. The second coin, you find your love in Rome and the third coin … you marry a Roman.” This encounter led to an immediate connection. Catherine recalls, “He was very cute. He was very handsome, he was very funny. He made me and my mom laugh so much,” describing the moment as “colpo di fulmine,” or love at first sight. Fausto, who was 45 at the time and had experienced several short-lived relationships, felt that meeting Catherine was a "present from the sky." He had been longing for a meaningful connection, saying, “I think in my life something must change, because I can’t continue like that.” Their shared backgrounds in the airline industry facilitated a bond, with Fausto joking, “I think I looked at him and was like, ‘Oh, my God, this fountain works magic.’ This story is featured in the "Chance Encounters" podcast by CNN, which showcases real-life tales of unexpected connections during travel. https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/travel/trevi-fountain-romance-chance-encounters
Trevi Fountain