In December of 2024, my family and I went to Italy for Christmas. It was probably the best trip of my life and one of the coolest and most eye-opening experiences I’ve had. While there, we visited Rome and two places in Sicily, Taormina and Ortigia. My last name, Vento, means “wind” in Italian. The entirety of my Dad’s side of my family is Italian and from Sicily, which made the trip even more sentimental. Visiting Sicily, I not only learned about the culture there, but also about my family’s history.

Since Italy, my perspective on family has changed. I’ve learned that the opportunity to be in touch with my family’s history is one I need to take advantage of because not everyone has the same privilege. Now, when I visit Indiana, where my grandparents live, I try to learn as much as I can. Going through family recipes, heirlooms, and hearing endless stories makes me feel more connected. It makes me proud to be Italian.

Honestly, there’s still so much I don’t know and might never know about my family. Whether that’s because I’m not old enough to know yet or because it got lost over time remains a mystery to me. What I do know is that I’ll do my best to preserve my memories and history for the family that comes after me.