Once upon a time, 69 years ago to be exact, this little girl came into the world. With that smile on her face, and a twinkle in her eyes, she was ready for adventure.
©blogginginitaly.com
20 years later, her parents gave her the opportunity of a lifetime – to spend her junior year abroad at Loyola Chicago John Felice Rome Center. As a Christmas gift, her Mother mailed her a scrapbook of her life, including the photo and words above.
That little girl became this young woman who experienced a year of unforgettable memories, experiences, and friendships.
Roma 1971-72 ©blogginginitaly.com
And during that year, her love for Italy was planted deep within her heart (though obviously not the fear of driving a motorized bike through Roma)!
Roma 1971-72 ©blogginginitaly.com
Before the school year ended, she even celebrated her 21st birthday in Rome, something that in the early 70’s would seem more like a dream than reality. How lucky I am that she is me.
5/22/1972 21st Birthday ©blogginginitaly.com
I never could have imagined then that celebrating my birthday in Italy would become a wonderful tradition. I have Len to thank for that. And although today we are dearly missing our Cortona life, our incredible friendships keep us strongly connected.
So my birthday gift to me is seeing the many familiar faces here. Till we return, thanks for the love, thanks for the friendship, and thanks for these memories.
Birthday 2011 ©blogginginitaly.com
2012 ©blogginginitaly.com
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2015 ©blogginginitaly.com
Ciambra Monreale 2016 ©blogginginitaly.com
2016 ©blogginginitaly.com
2016 ©blogginginitaly.com
What were we laughing about???
(Clearly something off-color!)
2016 ©blogginginitaly.com
2017 ©blogginginitaly.com
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2017 ©blogginginitaly.com
While all of these photos are not birthday or anniversary celebrations, on one birthday eve, these musicians delighted me with a spontaneous performance in Piazza Repubblica.
2017©blogginginitaly.com
2017 ©blogginginitaly.com
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Our 30th Anniversary 2017 ©blogginginitaly.com
2018 ©blogginginitaly.com
2018 ©blogginginitaly.com
2018 ©blogginginitaly.com
Taormina 2018 ©blogginginitaly.com
2018 ©blogginginitaly.com
2019 ©blogginginitaly.com
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Packing up for the season. 2019 ©blogginginitaly.com
Anniversary#32 2019 ©blogginginitaly.com
Anniversary#32 2019 ©blogginginitaly.com
Our last night Cortona, 2019. Who knew??? 2019 ©blogginginitaly.com
We are living in the most unusual of circumstances, yet we are very fortunate. We are all well, and those in our extended family who have jobs are working harder than ever.
Personally, we have connected with many people we have not seen in years. Strange circumstances do offer some unique opportunities.
And that takes me back to my year in Roma. Just this week, many of us gathered for a zoom call. Familiar names and faces of Campers, as we had named ourselves, from our magical year in Rome. There were people on the call I hadn’t seen in 47 years, but the time we spent together in Italy binds us forever.
2020©blogginginitaly.com
I’m forever grateful for all that Italy has given to Len and me. We’ve had incredible opportunities to discover our ancestral roots, explore Italy and Italian life with family and friends, and make new and lasting friendships. That little girl has had many reasons to keep smiling throughout her life.
©blogginginitlay.com
There’s so many ways to celebrate, and as you can see, this year I spent many happy hours going through years of photos. Each one represents a special memory – hence my birthday gift to me. (Apologies for the quantity and for anyone I am missing.)
So,
Happy Birthday to me,
Tanti Auguri a me,
2020©blogginginitaly.com
and a grateful toast to each of you
for making me smile.
2020 ©blogginginitaly.com
Ciao,
Judy
Blogging In Italy 
Tantissimissimi Auguri cara Amica.
Con il mio cuore sono li vicino a Te.
Un grande abbraccio.
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Grazie cara, sei sempre vicino!💕🤗
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Beautiful post, Birthday Girl! Much Love & Happiness to You in this new year ~
Love, Mary Terese XX
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Thanks and hope to see you this summer! 💕
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Migosh I can’t believe it! You were actually born with that big light-up-the-room smile!
Happy Birthday Cortona girl!
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Can’t deny it😂! thanks and will respond to your email later. 🍷
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Beautiful blogpost – tanti auguri!
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Grazie mille! This somehow went to a spam folder🤪 but all good now.
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Happy birthday. Very sad we are not catching up in Cortona this year as planned. Will toast you with a vino in Melbourne bb
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And to think of all the planning that went into your return 😢, but yes, a big toast in Melbourne and one back at you. 🤗
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Happiest of birthdays my dear friend. What was Len’s line? something like ‘a smile as broad as a grille on a ’59 Cadillac’😎😘❤️
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Yep, he’s always said that 😂🤗 Thanks!
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Happy Birthday, Judy. Wonderful memories.
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Thanks Lyniece!
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Happy Birthday cuzz, how wonderful it is to see you surrounded by so many family and friends,how priceless those memories are. Judy, I hope this is your best year ever, hope to see you guys soon. God bless you. 🙂
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Thanks Michael, it was fun seeing you and Deb back when we could hug!!
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My dear Judy A very happy happy….and many more of them.
You share a birthday with my younger brother, whom I just called in London.
I hope you manage to make it a special birthday despite the lockdown. Hugs Carol
On Fri, May 22, 2020 at 1:02 AM Blogging In Italy wrote:
> blogginginitaly posted: “Once upon a time, 69 years ago to be exact, this > little girl came into the world. With that smile on her face, and a twinkle > in her eyes, she was ready for adventure. 20 years later, her parents gave > her the opportunity of a lifetime – to spend her” >
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Thanks Carol, we too have another family bd today!! 🤗
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Very Happy Birthday. Eventhough you cannot celebrate in Cortona, Bill and I hope you have the happiest day possible. Celebrate with something outrageous! Your bright happy smile does light up everyone around. Keep it up! Here’s a toast to next year being as bright as you are. XO
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Thanks Shelli and Bill, looking forward to next year for sure!
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Judy!!! What an incredible birthday tradition! The next time you are able to return to Italy will be a very special one. Hope you have a cozy day today full of lots of birthday wishes…xx
Love that baby picture showing your terrific smile ready to take on the world!
Fondly, Maureen
On Fri, May 22, 2020 at 12:02 AM Blogging In Italy wrote:
> blogginginitaly posted: “Once upon a time, 69 years ago to be exact, this > little girl came into the world. With that smile on her face, and a twinkle > in her eyes, she was ready for adventure. 20 years later, her parents gave > her the opportunity of a lifetime – to spend her” >
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Maureen, thanks for the comments and so glad Italia reconnected us as well, via the blog! Hope we can get together this summer! 🤗
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Congratulations on your Annual Looks like you have chosen great places and great people to celebrate! May you have many more
________________________________
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Thanks, Royce, we’re counting on that!
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Happy birthday Judy. Mike and I send you blessings and hugs for your special day. You are right about being thankful we are all well. Celebrate with your family and we’ll look forward to seeing you and Len soon.
Love,
Cousin Deb
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Thanks Deb! Hope to see you in Chicago! 🤗
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Dear Judy – how Tom and I miss you and Len! What a wonderful photo montage. I love your baby pictures – you still have that contagious smile and love of life. We hope you, Len, and Benita continue to stay safe and healthy during this very very strange time. I’m sending you big hugs and kisses for your birthday! May we meet in Italy again very soon!
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Thanks Deb, it’s been way to long!! We need to catch up👍🍷🇮🇹
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Happy Birthday Judy!
What memorable photos. Can’t believe that the photo of us you posted was 6 years ago.
All the best to you and Len. May the trips continue as soon as it is safe!
Fondly,
Gustavo and Hilary
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Thanks, Hilary, such fun memories!!
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a beautiful connection with many memories of family and friends.
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Thanks Carlo, so true!
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a beautiful connection with many memories of family and friends.
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Happy happy Birthday Judy. We enjoyed your Birthday Party here in Austin, at your beautiful home. Is it possible that it was your 50th et? How times fly. Many lovely memories
with you and Len while we were lucky to have you as our neighbors.
Love, Magda
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Magda, yes that wonderful party was my 50th! It was one of the best ever for me, and so glad you and Albert were there to share it with us. Actually, we were the lucky ones to have you as our neighbors! Lots of love, Judy
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Happy birthday to you 🎵happy birthday to you 🎵happy birthday dear Judy🎵Happy birthday to you 🎵
Hugs and 🎂❤️🎂❣️
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iPhone auto corrected my last name. 😂
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I knew it was you!
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Sandy, thank you for the sign, I closed my eyes and imagined you were singing it to me!
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What a great, great life you’ve been having. Here’s to many more birthdays.
Cheers
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Yes indeed, Ellen, so true. We’ve been very lucky!
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Tanti Auguri! 😘🎂
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Grazie mille!!🍷
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Grazie mille! 🍷
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Happy Birthday so glad to be a part of your entourage, you have made our life fuller just having you and Len in it. Hope it won’t be too long until we (you) are sipping wine together (me with my tonic water) in the streets of our second home, Cortona with all of our wonderfully friends
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Thanks, Carrol, we’re so ready 🍷🤗. Loved Jennifer’s hug!!
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Thank you Carol, and we are ready to go! 🍷Also, loved Jennifer’s hug!! 🤗
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUDY!
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Thank Sandy!
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Happy Birthday, Judy! You have really made the most of the 69 years. I love reading your blog….Kathy Sheehan ODonoghue
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Thanks, Kathy, and I always like hearing from you! Hope all is well.
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Happy Belated Happy Birthday to a very special lady! May God grant you many many more!!!!
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Thanks so much Judy!
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