Scano Montiferro: Prince Charming serenades his future wife on horseback.

It seemed like a peaceful evening, but then those who were sleeping suddenly heard a voice singing and didn't hesitate to go out into the street. Outside, there was a "Prince Charming" on horseback, riding through various parts of the town. Kindly greet everyone. It happened Thursday night in Scano Montiferro: a scene from another era, unusual and moving. A "fairytale" that suddenly captivated the townspeople. Pierpaolo Medda mounted the horse around 11:30 PM, wanting to give a gift, or rather, a special dedication, to his future wife Maria Francesca Flore, whom he will marry today in the Church of San Pietro Apostolo in Scano. It was an unusual evening before their wedding. And one that no one in the small town will forget.

The fairy tale

The two protagonists are middle school teachers. He, 47, from Santa Giusta, teaches Italian, history, and geography at the Eleonora D'Arborea secondary school in Piazza Manno in Oristano. She, nine years younger, still teaches literature, but in Cuglieri and Santu Lussurgiu. Pierpaolo Medda mounted his horse, aided by friends, then rode through the historic center until he reached his beloved's house. Once there, he grabbed the microphone and began singing "Biskisende" by Janas. A picture of love worthy of a frame.

The newlyweds

"I wanted to surprise Maria Francesca, and in the end, I did it in the most fairytale way possible: dressed as Prince Charming on a white horse, a charming twenty-year-old forced to wake up to lend a hand to someone like me, who doesn't know how to ride a horse at all," says Pierpaolo Medda. "The horse is from Scano Montiferro and belongs to Riccardo Dettori." Nothing was left to chance, not even the choice of song: "Biskisende by Janas, I think, is one of the most beautiful love songs written in Sardinia," he continues. "I asked Janas directly for the backing track, and they were immediately available." For Maria Francesca Flore, it was magical: "From the first day we met, I knew he was someone out of the ordinary: his spontaneous approach to people and his ability to surprise had made me sense his originality and uniqueness. But this time, he truly managed to leave me speechless," she says. "Thursday night, the emotions came in small doses. First, I saw a white horse, a scene I never expected. Then I focused more closely and recognized Pierpaolo dressed like a true Prince Charming, an even more surreal situation. And when he started singing in Logudorese, even though he's originally from Campidano, I said to myself: 'Is this really happening?'" It was a gesture of immense value, because so much love, commitment, and desire to make me happy lay behind every single detail. He did all this for me, to give me a memory I will carry in my heart for the rest of my life and to show me, once again, how great his love is. If before I was certain I had chosen the right man, after such an extraordinary serenade, my heart was definitively confirmed. I can say it with absolute conviction: a Medda is forever." Before the evening, however, the ritual of preparing the newlyweds' bed took place, with the parents' participation. A tradition that is very much felt in this part of the world. Then everyone went home. But it was a farce. Everyone thought the evening would end like this. No one expected that, shortly after, a "Prince Charming" on horseback would appear.

Their story

Pierpaolo Medda and Maria Francesca Flore met five years ago at school. It was 2021, and everyone was wearing masks due to the pandemic. "She came to my school as a substitute teacher for the year, before she became tenured," he explains. "My courtship went in two phases. At first, I kept asking her if she wanted a coffee, but she was always very distant. It didn't give me much satisfaction. When I was more direct, she gave in. Even the students that year had sensed something; I still remember their jokes." And today, the wedding.