A name that became a tribute

My eldest was still very small when our family received another blessing. When he was just two years and twenty days old, our princess was born: Jessica Sibila Guardezi, on 9 December 1993.

Jessica's arrival brought a new kind of joy into our family. She was our girl, our princess, come to make our house more complete than it already was.

But there is a very special story behind her middle name.

The name Jessica Sibila carries one of the most beautiful and spontaneous stories in our family. When she was born, without my knowing, her father made a lovely decision as he filled in her register: he chose to include the name Sibila.

It was a surprise tribute to my mother — her beloved grandmother. The immense love she always felt for her turned that name into a real treasure.

Jessica likes to say, with every right and every bit of pride, that she is the only Jessica Sibila in the world. And it is true. The name is singular because it reflects how singular her light is, and how strong her roots are. She carries it with her head high, knowing it is the eternal link of the great love that bound her to her grandmother.

Perhaps, in that moment, her father could not imagine how much that choice would come to matter.