Airports can be full of uncertainty, but they can also hold the promise of adventure and perhaps romance. For Roberto De Lorenzo and Sara Fusco, Finland’s main international hub became the setting for a story straight out of the movies.
De Lorenzo, an Italian flight attendant for Norwegian Airlines, used to call Finland home before moving to his current base, London Gatwick. It was on a Facebook group called “Italians in Finland” that he first crossed paths with Fusco, who now resides in Florence. Little did either know that this routine encounter would eventually lead to something more.
One day, Fusco sought information and posted a message on the group page. De Lorenzo was able to provide a helpful answer and the former decided to add the latter as a friend.
From exchanging the usual pleasantries, the two chatted and Skyped for over a month. When they realized that they may have developed feelings for each other, they decided to meet face to face.
“The first time we met, we hugged and we had our first kiss. This happened at Helsinki Airport,” shares De Lorenzo. “It was a funny feeling. We had never met before, so obviously I was nervous and excited at the same time. Not scared at all but so happy.” He even texted one of his best friends to say that he was going to meet his future girlfriend.
Fusco was waiting for him at the arrivals hall and from that moment – April 27, 2015 – the couple has been inseparable. They celebrated their first year together by returning to their special spot.
“We both love Finland so we thought of going back to Helsinki Airport to recreate what we did when we met a year ago,” says De Lorenzo.
It seems that you really can find love anywhere when your heart, mind and eyes are open. De Lorenzo and Fusco have even joked about marking their next anniversary in Vantaa yet again. “Why not?” laughs De Lorenzo.
How’s that for an airport connection?
