“An Italian couple nicknamed ‘Romeo and Juliet’ who fell in love from their balconies during the coronavirus lockdown is engaged.
In March, neighbors Michele D’Alpaos and Paola Agnelli, created social media buzz for crushing on each other during lockdown from their respective balconies in Verona, Italy — the setting of the 1597 William Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet — while the pandemic raged throughout their country.
Then, Italy had more than 53,000 COVID-19 infections and the highest death toll in the world.
During Italy’s eight-week lockdown, which began on March 9, locals utilized their balconies for fresh air, social interactions and nightly serenades with clapping, singing and musical instruments to honor health care workers. It was when Agnelli’s sister Lisa, a professional violinist, put on a 6:00 p.m. performance that the couple locked eyes.
‘I was immediately struck by the beauty of this girl, by her smile,’ D’Alpaos, who lives on the seventh floor of his apartment building, told the Washington Post. ‘I had to know her.’
D’Alpaos found his future bride on Instagram (thanks to his sister, who knew her name) but he didn’t have an account. So he created one to message Agnelli. ‘When he contacted me, I was happy, but I didn’t want to deceive myself,’ she told the Washington Post.
Agnelli lives with her sister and mother in a sixth-floor apartment with a balcony that faces D’Alpaos’ apartment. He lives on the seventh floor with his parents, according to the Washington Post.”
View the whole story here: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/covid19-real-life-romeo-juliet-engaged-falling-love-balconies-lockdown-212857045.html