Many times I felt alone. I was missing that special companion in my life. I did many things: I studied, worked, tried to grow as a person, but every day I felt that someone was missing to share those precious moments with.
My name is Facundo Elorriaga. I'm Argentine, and proud of it. I'm 23 years old, about five feet six inches tall, with black hair (just beginning to thin at the temples), fair skin, and brown eyes that often reflect a shadow of melancholy. My build is average, but what truly defines me is my way of thinking.
People often tell me I'm "old-fashioned," and they're right. I love romance, love movies, 80s ballads, and those slow songs that seem to speak directly to the heart. I dream of a woman who embodies true femininity, but above all, I desire that she loves God unconditionally, even more than she could ever love me.
My city, La Plata, is full of life and opportunities, but sometimes its streets feel empty when I walk lost in thought. My romantic life had been a string of disappointments. Every time I met a girl who seemed promising, I would get my hopes up, only to soon discover that she wasn't the one. Still, my heart told me none of them could be. I knew God had something special reserved for me, and that certainty gave me strength.
There were days when the loneliness was unbearable. I would come home, lay on the bed, close my eyes, and try to forget the weight of disappointment. It was during those moments that I began to perceive something extraordinary: a sweet and comforting voice that seemed to come from deep within me.
"What's wrong?" it would ask me with infinite tenderness.
It was a feminine voice, like that of a young woman, echoing inside me like a gentle caress upon my soul. In those moments, I would speak softly to her, confessing my deepest thoughts, and she would listen. It wasn't just imagination—she gave me advice, she encouraged me.
"Wait on God, we will meet soon. Don't lose faith," she would often say.
That voice made me feel less alone. When disappointment from the wrong girl discouraged me, she reminded me:
"That wasn't me. Better that way. Trust in God."
Even in the darkest times, I never lost faith. When sadness overwhelmed me, I would kneel before the crucifix in my room and pray an Our Father and a Hail Mary. I asked the Virgin Mary to embrace me, and that simple act filled me with a deep serenity.
One night, I had a dream that felt more real than life itself. I was lying in bed and felt the kiss of a woman's soul. I couldn't see her, but the warmth of that kiss was pure and profound. In the background, "Por amarte así" by Cristian Castro was playing. I woke up with my heart full of joy, as if I had truly found that woman in another dimension.
The question of my vocation was a constant in my life. I wanted to know if God was calling me to marriage or to the priesthood. Once, I went to the Church of Saint Mary Rosa Mystica. I knelt in one of the front pews and prayed fervently. I asked the Virgin Mary to intercede and help me understand God's plan.
The answer came that very night. I dreamed of a young woman I fell deeply in love with. I didn't remember the details of her face, but the feeling of love and peace she gave me was indescribable. I woke up convinced that this woman existed and that I would meet her someday.
Every Christmas, I had the habit of making a special prayer. That year was no different. I prayed to Saint Valentine, Saint Anthony of Padua, Saint Joseph, and the Virgin of Hope, asking with all my heart to find the woman God had destined for me. I lit some candles and, while praying, a tear fell on the melted wax, forming a perfect heart. Maybe it was a sign, a reminder that I was not alone.
With the new year, I decided to dedicate myself to a volunteer project. I created an initiative called "Virgin of Hope," visiting nursing homes, hospitals, and orphanages. Although at first, no one seemed interested, I carried on joyfully. Doing good filled my soul and reminded me that there is always hope, even on the grayest days.
Yet, deep in my heart, I felt that something great was about to happen. Maybe it was just an illusion, or maybe it was truly the prelude to an encounter destined to change my life forever.