Canadian Skips Family Reunion for 17 Years, Then Goes to Italy

Susan Marchiori had dodged family reunions her entire life, convinced that Facebook posts and online chats were enough to stay connected. Then she booked a ticket to Italy's 17th Marchiori Family Reunion and discovered what she'd been missing.

Born in Canada to Italian parents, Marchiori had visited Italy 16 times but never attended the biennial family gathering. When her sister couldn't make this year's reunion, Marchiori volunteered to represent their Canadian branch. She packed her bags wondering if she was having an identity crisis or simply seeking adventure.

What awaited her in Cossato, a small town in northwest Piedmont, was nothing like she expected. Her second cousin and his family welcomed her into their home with open hearts. They took her exploring from the mountains to Lake Orta, from Turin to Milan, while she practiced her Italian and tasted 24 new regional foods.

The reunion itself brought together 100 relatives under the hot June sun in Ronco di Cossato. A priest cousin organized the day, which started with mass and continued with a family-style lunch. Some drove two hours to attend, while Marchiori had flown across an ocean.

But the real magic happened in the quiet moments at her cousin's home. The generosity and warmth she experienced there turned what could have been just another trip into something life-changing.

Sunny's Take

Marchiori returned to her home in Waterloo, Ontario, transformed. The kindness she witnessed reminded her what truly matters in a world that often feels disconnected and divided. She now wants to bring that same openness to everyone she meets, from close family to complete strangers.

The Marchiori family spans eight countries across four continents, from Italy to Australia to New Zealand. After years of avoiding reunions, Marchiori is already planning which gathering to attend next.

Sometimes the connections we think we can replace online are actually irreplaceable in person. Marchiori's story proves that showing up, even when it feels uncomfortable, can restore our faith in human connection.