Before We Said 'I Love You,' We Said 'Let's Pray'

We met on justsinglechristians.com. In a world full of rush and superficiality, this space was like an oasis of calm for me—a place where one could talk about faith without fear of being misunderstood. Amanda — that’s me — was looking for someone who understands that love is more than just words, gestures, or appearances. I needed someone with whom I could build a relationship on the foundation of spirituality and daily closeness to God.

The first messages with Oscar were warm, full of humility and respect. In his words, I felt something hard to describe — authenticity, peace, and above all, deep faith. We didn’t rush into talking about feelings. Instead, we shared Psalms, favorite prayers, and sometimes simply talked about how God works in our ordinary days.

One evening, when I was telling him about my tiredness and worries, he replied:

“Amanda, maybe we should pray together? Not over the phone, but just feel that we’re not alone.”

It was something completely different from the usual conversations I knew. I agreed without hesitation. That evening, each in our own home, we lit a candle and began to pray over the phone. The silence that settled between us was full of presence — not only spiritual but also felt with body and heart.

That was the first time I felt that Oscar was someone I could walk through life with. That our relationship could be based on something lasting — mutual support in faith, on a gentleness no one needs to fear.

Our first meeting was just like that — calm and full of spiritual closeness. We met in a small café near the church we both often visited. Oscar brought a Bible and a notebook where he wrote down his reflections. We talked about Psalms that had touched us, about verses that were lights in difficult moments.

- You know, Amanda, - he said softly, - in many relationships, people forget that true closeness begins with trusting God. He is our foundation.

I looked at him with growing admiration and tenderness. There was something extraordinary about how calmly and sincerely he spoke about faith, how easily he shared his fears and joys. I didn’t have to pretend or hide anything.

We began attending Mass together, then evening services, and later walks in the park. In silence, we could simply be next to each other, and prayer became our daily practice — whether apart or together.

I remember once, sitting on a bench under an old oak tree, I asked him:

- Are you afraid to talk about feelings?

He smiled warmly and replied:

- Because the love I mean is not just words. It’s primarily active trust in God and mutual support. And that comes slowly, with each day.

Then I felt that between us it wasn’t about quick declarations but something much more important — about building a bond that will survive every storm.

Before we said “I love you,” we learned to say “let’s pray.” And it was prayer that became the language of our hearts, without which our love could not have blossomed so beautifully and peacefully.

Oscar showed me that true closeness begins where two people give themselves to God and to each other. That love is not a race but a shared path we walk step by step, with hope and tenderness.

Today, when I think about our relationship, I know that this spiritual intimacy was the foundation on which we could build something lasting and beautiful. Because love that begins with prayer is just like that — subtle, full of humility, and genuine warmth.