Some family stories stay with you forever.
Today is one of those days for me.
My dad was born in Cinisi, Sicily in 1943—a small coastal town just outside Palermo. His birthday was originally March 17th, but someone in the village told my grandparents it was bad luck to be born on St. Patrick's Day. In small Sicilian towns, superstitions carried a lot of weight.
So somehow, his birth certificate ended up saying March 16th instead.
For years we joked about which day was the real birthday. Eventually we realized something simple: Dad prefers celebrating on the 16th. But the truth is, we've always celebrated both—because in an Italian family, you never really need much of a reason to celebrate someone you love.
And if there are two possible birthdays? Even better.
The Moments That Shape Us
Growing up in an Italian home meant life was full of stories, laughter, and the quiet beauty of everyday moments.
Food simmering in the kitchen.
Family talking over each other around the table.
The comfort of traditions you don't fully appreciate until you're older.
Those moments shape you. They shape the way you see the world, and they shape the things you eventually create.
For me, they became part of the heart behind Love Square One.
Sugar da Baby
Some of my favorite memories are tied to my grandfather Mateo. He only spoke Sicilian—the language he grew up speaking in Cinisi. Even though I didn't always understand every word, there were certain things you never forget.
The way he greeted you.
The warmth in his voice.
The way he laughed.
And the nickname he always used for me.
He called me "Sugar da baby."
I can still hear him saying it. Funny how the smallest words can stay with you your whole life.
Those kinds of memories never really disappear. They live somewhere deep inside you—in the way you remember people, in the traditions you carry forward, and in the little rituals that make life feel meaningful.
What Love Square One Is Really About
That's a big part of what inspired Love Square One.
At its heart, this brand is about slowing down and making everyday moments feel sacred.
Lighting a candle after a long day.
Pouring a glass of wine while dinner cooks.
Sitting at the table with someone you love.
These small rituals might seem ordinary, but they're often the moments we remember most. They're the moments where life feels calm, warm, and connected.
La Dolce Vita—The Sweet Life
In Italy, there's a phrase that captures this feeling perfectly: La Dolce Vita—the sweet life.
It's not about perfection or luxury. It's about appreciating simple things.
A good meal.
A familiar voice.
A quiet moment at home.
The glow of candlelight at the end of the day.
Maybe that's why the phrase La Dolce Vita has always felt so familiar to me. My grandfather called me "Sugar da baby," and in so many ways, that's what this brand is about—remembering that life, even when it's imperfect, can still be sweet.
Celebrating Between the Lines
So today we're celebrating my dad, the stories of our Sicilian family, and the memories that shaped who I am.
Maybe it's fitting that his birthday sits between two days—because life rarely fits perfectly inside neat little boxes. Sometimes the best things exist somewhere in between: between memories and the present, between tradition and new beginnings.
And if there's one thing our family has always believed, it's this:
Life may not always be perfect.
But it can still be sweet.
If you love the idea of slowing down and enjoying life's small moments, explore our La Dolce Vita candle collection from Love Square One.
Each candle is thoughtfully crafted to help create a warm, peaceful atmosphere—perfect for the quiet rituals that make a house feel like home.
Because sometimes the sweetest moments begin with a simple flame.
The magic of new beginnings—one moment at a time.