A soon-to-be-married couple have been named ‘Italy’s modern-day Romeo and Juliet’ after falling in love from their balconies during lockdown.

Paola Agnelli, 40, and Michele D’Alpaos, 38, from Verona, have lived opposite to each other for most of their lives – but only locked eyes when the country was hit with strict restrictions in March.

Loved-up Paola told The Times she first spotted Michele on a balcony after a community balcony concert was arranged to keep locals’ spirits high during the 10-week Government clampdown.

It was love at first sight for the lawyer, as she helped her violinist sister, Lisa Agnelli, who was playing Queen’s We Are The Champions, with sound.

She told FEMAIL: ‘The first time I saw Michele it was love first sight and for him as well – our eyes just met each other. The atmosphere was so romantic.’

Visit our live blog for the latest updates: Coronavirus news live

Soon after the concert, Michele tracked down Paola on Instagram and the pair began messaging until 3am almost every night.

Speaking about the first evening they spoke, she said: ‘That night we wrote to each other until the early hours.

‘We realised we shared the same values and that those would be a solid base for a relationship – we are both determined people but also kind and sensitive.’

The couple could not meet in person due to coronavirus restrictions so their budding relationship was fuelled on late-night phone calls and wistful gazes.

Michele told BBC Radio 4 how he longed to kiss Ms Agnelli ‘for an hour’, describing their relationship as ‘magic’.

Their story went viral on social media when IT worker Michele painted Paola’s name on an old sheet and tied it to the top floor of his building for everyone to see.

After two months of talking, the pair were finally allowed to meet in a park in May.

They are now planning their wedding after a whirlwind six-month romance.

Michele told The Times: ‘We are absolutely getting married and all we have to do is set the date.

‘We are considering a ceremony on the large roof terrace of my building, which would make sense since we met on our balconies.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Source: Read Full Article