A Tall, Dark and Handsome Man Wouldn't Hurt

     

     A friend of mine, who just moved back to Canada after living in Florence for several years, told me about a small ancient church not far from the Duomo.  She came across it by accident one day.  As I was in the area I decided to visit the church.  

     Santa Margherita de' Cerchi is said to be the location of Dante's marriage to Gemma Donati.  To the left of the alter is the tomb of Beatrice Portinari; Dante's great love.  While Dante is said to have only met Beatrice twice, once when they were children and once in passing on the street when they were young adults, their encounters had such an impact on him that Beatrice inspired many of his writings.  Even though Beatrice married another man, and died at the young age of 24, Dante is said to have kept an abiding love for her long after she died.  

     To the left of Beatrice's tomb is a basket overflowing with letters in many different languages.  Beatrice's tomb has become a popular place for women to leave notes asking for divine intervention in finding love.  In a world that has become so materialistic, I was struck by the universality of the desire for love. 

     As I sat in the church I prayed for a safe adventure.  Oh, and I added that meeting a tall, dark and handsome man wouldn't hurt.  Who am I to interfere with divine intervention?