From Sophia Loren to Melissa — Letter Written from the Heart
An Extraordinary Meeting: Face-to-Face with Sophia Loren
A few years ago, while writing my first novel, Dreaming Sophia, I had the immense pleasure of meeting the legendary Sophia Loren in person. As I was finishing the book, I learned she would be performing a one-woman show in Las Vegas about her life and career
Boldness and Destiny: The Journey to Meet La Loren
As a central character in my story, I knew I had to meet Sophia. With a bit of boldness (and a lot of luck), I secured a VIP ticket for a private reception after her show. That’s how I found myself face-to-face with Sophia Loren, speaking to her in Italian, taking a photo together, and even kissing her cheeks!
Words That Changed My Life
During our meeting, Sophia Loren told me: “Believe in your dreams; dreams become reality.” And then: “Be brave. Just do it.” These words gave even more meaning to my first novel and continue to inspire me every day.
Believe in your dreams, dreams become reality.
A Letter Written from the Heart (and in Italian!)
With some hesitation, in 2018, I finally wrote to Sophia Loren a letter in Italian, even using the formal “Lei”! I also sent her my two published works, thanking her for being an inspiration.
The Reply I Never Expected
In late February, I found a thick envelope in the mailbox, postmarked from Switzerland. With great excitement, I discovered Sophia Loren had written to me:
Carissima, grazie di cuore per la tua bellissima lettera.
Infiniti auguri per il tuo lavoro! Felicità – Sophia
Dearest, thank you from the heart for your beautiful letter.
Infinite wishes for your work! Happiness – Sophia
Grazie di Cuore, Sophia Loren!
Thank You, Sophia Loren, for Your Kindness!
Incontrare Sophia Loren, scriverle una lettera di ringraziamento e ricevere una sua risposta personale è stato un sogno che si è avverato. Le sue parole di incoraggiamento – “Credi nei tuoi sogni” – resteranno per sempre nel mio cuore. Grazie, Sophia, per la tua grazia e ispirazione!
Meeting Sophia Loren, writing her a thank-you letter, and receiving her personal reply was a dream come true. Her encouraging words – “Believe in your dreams” – will stay with me forever. Thank you, Sophia, for your grace and inspiration!
Read the novel that was inspired by Sophia Loren!
Dreaming Sophia
Dreaming Sophia is a magical look into Italy, language, art, and culture. It is a story about turning dreams into reality and learning to walk the fine line between fact and fantasy. When tragedy strikes, Sophia finds herself alone in the world, without direction and fearful of loving again. With only her vivid imagination to guide her, she begins a journey that will take her from the vineyards in Sonoma, California to a grad school in Philadelphia and, eventually, to Italy: Florence, Lucca, Rome, Verona, Venice, and Val d’Orcia. Through dreamlike encounters, Sophia meets Italian personalities—princes, poets, duchesses, artists, and film stars— who give her advice to help put her life back together. Following a path that takes her from grief to joy, she discovers the source of her creativity and learns to love again, turning her dreams into reality.
Sophia Loren is the most beautiful woman. I watch every movie of her as a young girl growing up. Thank you for sharing.
Kiwilanda Maori of New Zealand
EB