This is the story of my Grandmother, Jennie Leonardo, and my grandfather Paul Sebastian Cianci.

So long ago, there was this Italian teenager, traveling to the docks of NYC to find her soul mate. One day, a boat of Italian soldiers embarked on a new world.
The Italian beauty scrambled to see which one she wanted. As she looked onto the pier, she was mesmerized by the tall dark haired soldier.

She yelled to her friend, "Look, see that one, I am going to marry that man!" Her friend knew, that she was not lying.

So began the relationship of my grandmother Vajenza (Jennie)Leonardo and Paul Sebastian Cianci. That is exactly how this story begins.

The day was a glorious July morning in the Bronx. Jennie rolled out of her bed, dressed and rushed off to meet her girlfriend, Carmella. They were on their daily jaunt to the pier to watch as the boats docked from Europe. They loved to imagine who they would marry and have children with.

This particular morning, what Jennie felt was very different. As she approached Carmella's flat, she was filled with a indescribable type of excitement.
"Good Morning Carmella, I feel that today is going to be the day".
Carmella replied by saying, "Okay, Jennie, let's go and make this our final day at the docks".

As they headed toward the pier where the Italian boats docked, the air was filled with a new fragrance, a smell of gardenias filling their senses.

As they waited for the boat to dock, Jennie was getting scared. "Oh, Carmella, what if I don't find him?, or what if he doesn't want me?"
"Nonsense, think positive, we haven't waited this long for nothing."
Just as those words left her mouth, the soldiers walked off the boat.

Jennie studied each one as if under a microscope. No one appealed to her, then he walked down the plank. Her breath was taken away, she knew he was the one!

"Carmella, there he is, that is the one I am going to marry, look there he is!" Then she fainted clean away! Carmella, yelled for someone to come help, and the dark haired stranger came running over to the two girls.
"Che cosa posso fare per aiutarli? Che cosa è il suo nome?"

Carmella answered in English, Her name is Jennie, Vajenza, she has fainted, can you help me bring her to the doctor?

"Sì, lasciarli ottengono un tassì"
"We have no money for a taxi, can you carry her to her house?"
"Sì, mostrarmi dove vive".
"Just follow me, her mama is at home, she will help us."

They walked back to Jennie's flat. Mrs. Leonardo was in the kitchen making bread. She dropped everything at the sight of her daughter being carried by this handsome stranger.

"Carmella che cosa è accaduto al mio bambino?"

"She fainted, but Paulo has helped to bring her home. Mrs. Leonardo, meet Paulo Cianci".

"Paulo Cianci, da dove provenite?"
"la mia famiglia proviene da Siracusa, Italia"
"Welcome, Paulo, to our home, please put her here on the couch."
Just as he put her down, she opened her eyes and felt immediately better.
"Oh, dear, what happened?" she asked.

"Jennie, you fainted when we were at the pier, and Paulo Cianci, carried you home to your mama".

"Jennie, Vajenza, it is my pleasure to meet such a beautiful woman."
Jennie could not even speak, she was overtaken with emotions that she had never felt before.
She embraced Paulo, and thanked him.
He excused himself and left.

Carmella and Jennie ran to the window to watch him walk down the street.
Jennie was completely in love at first sight.

Paul could not stay away from his beloved Jennie and so love bloomed and in a matter of six months they were married. That was the year of 1921.

to be continued.....
Peace, love, and Light,
Amber "V" Moonstone