Finally, Saturday arrived. I woke up happy, filled with an enormous eagerness to start the day. Although our visit to the nursing home was scheduled for 5:30 p.m., by around nine in the morning I already had everything prepared for the volunteer work. I packed the bingo set in my black backpack, along with some candies to give as prizes to the elderly, and I set my small portable radio to charge. It was modern and digital, but its design imitated the old radios with knobs.
Later, around 3 p.m., I started getting ready to leave. I ironed my red checkered shirt and black jeans, then took a shower. I got dressed, styled my hair to the side with gel, and put on my favorite cologne, Paulvic Red. On my way to the nursing home, I felt a little nervous about meeting Catalina, but even so, I felt truly happy and full of expectations.
I arrived at Hogar Paz ten minutes early, at 5:20 p.m. Catalina hadn't arrived yet and messaged me on WhatsApp saying she'd be right on time at 5:30, as she had been slightly delayed. I waited without any problem.
The streets around the home were bustling. That day, many young people had gathered in Plaza Máximo Paz or were simply strolling the streets with friends, family, or partners. There was a little of everything. Meanwhile, I stood there, looking around, waiting for Catalina to arrive.
Suddenly, I turned my head and saw a young woman in red approaching from afar. My heart skipped a beat. Could it be her? As she got closer, my suspicions were confirmed. It was Catalina. I recognized her, even though I had never seen her in person. My nerves mixed with a joy beyond words. I was about to meet the girl who, through messages and video calls, had begun to touch my heart.
She saw me too and greeted me with a smile, lifting her right hand. When she arrived, she gave me a kiss on the cheek that felt like a caress from heaven.
Catalina was incredibly beautiful. Seeing her beside me, I felt a love and attraction so intense I had never felt anything like it before. It was as if the world had stopped at that moment I laid eyes on her. She was truly a wonder crafted by God. Her brown eyes, so bright and lovely, her fair, delicate skin, her shiny, soft, long, slightly wavy chestnut hair, and her lips painted with a radiant carmine red completely captivated me.
She wasn't just physically beautiful—her style was elegant and feminine. She wore a slim-fitting red wool coat, dark blue jeans, and medium-height heels the same color as her jacket. She gave off a delicious scent, similar to strawberries, that blended with her radiant smile, white teeth, and long, curled lashes. She made me feel something strange—but wonderful. My stomach fluttered, my heart beat faster, my eyes sparkled, and a smile spread across my face—a smile that stayed with me throughout the entire day of volunteering.
Catalina was the same height as me—slim and well-proportioned. When we greeted each other for the first time, we introduced ourselves by name.
"Hi, Cata! I'm Facundo. So nice to meet you! How are you?" I asked, noticing that her eyes held a golden light that, together with everything else, gave her an angelic appearance.
"Hi, Facu! So nice to meet you, I'm Catalina! I'm good, just a little out of breath," she replied, with a sweet and tender voice, slightly winded from hurrying to be on time.
After our greeting, I was speechless. I stood in silence for five seconds, smiling as she smiled back at me.
"I'm so happy to see you here, Catalina," I said, as we exchanged a glance full of unspoken understanding.
For a moment, I completely forgot about the volunteer event.
"I think it's time to go in," Cata said.
"Oh, yes, yes! Sorry, Cata. Let's go in," I answered, not knowing what else to say.
Catalina had left me utterly speechless. I had never seen a girl so beautiful. Meeting someone special is entirely different from meeting someone who is simply attractive. When someone is meant for you, God sends signs and stirs emotions within you that are beyond explanation.
Catalina had dazzled me, because I had never seen a girl as beautiful in my entire life. Though the world is full of stunning women, it's not the same to admire beauty as it is to behold a charming and wonderful girl whom your heart tells you is meant for you.
It doesn't matter if a woman is blonde, brunette, white, Black, slim or curvy. When she's the one meant for you, God sends signs and gives you those unique soul-deep sensations.
After that first encounter with Catalina, I rang the doorbell at the nursing home and one of the staff, who already knew me, let us in without issue. As we entered, the elderly residents lit up when they saw us.
The home had gray walls and a large dining hall with a polished rectangular table about four meters long and one meter wide. On the table were green plastic cups and plates with traces of milk and cake crumbs. The seniors had just finished their afternoon snack. There were ten elderly people—three men and seven women.
In the air you could smell the delicious aroma of shepherd's pie that the kitchen staff were preparing for dinner.
"Facu, you're back!" Oscar said, smiling, just like the other residents. We greeted them one by one and got them settled in for bingo.
Cata took care of handing out the colorful bingo cards while I played some old-fashioned music. Songs by Carlos Gardel, Palito Ortega, and Donald, among others, filled the air.
Catalina called out the numbers, while I explained what each one symbolized.
The grand prize went to Marcelo, a 55-year-old man who suffered from epilepsy. I took a photo of him with Cata, both smiling. Marcelo proudly held his prize: a milk chocolate alfajor from Turimar.
Afterward, I pulled some songbooks from my backpack and, together with Cata, we distributed them among the residents. I turned up the radio and we started singing. Among the songs we performed were "Somos tan distintos e iguales" by Axel and Abel Pintos, "Zapatos rotos", "Siga el baile", "Color esperanza", and we ended with "Celebra la vida" by Axel.
When we reached the line that says "Celebrate life, celebrate life, it's so much more beautiful when you look at me," Catalina and I looked into each other's eyes and smiled. It was a moment that filled my soul with joy.
We applauded together and then said goodbye to each of the residents with affection.
"When will you be back?" Hugo asked.
"Soon, Huguito, don't worry," I replied in a soothing tone.
After spending an hour and a half bringing joy to the elderly residents, Cata and I took a photo at the entrance of the home. I immediately uploaded it to my WhatsApp status. We were both smiling in the picture, and you could see my light-blue pro-life scarf tied around my wrist.
It was seven in the evening, and the sun was beginning to set behind the horizon. The sky was a little cloudy, and a gentle, cool breeze was blowing. As I rolled up my sleeves, we walked together for about ten blocks toward the Cathedral of La Plata, talking about how well our volunteer work had gone.
"Did you like it?" I asked her."Yes! I loved it!" she answered enthusiastically. "It was really beautiful. Everything turned out fantastic.""I'm glad you enjoyed it. I did everything I could to make it special.""Don't worry—it was wonderful for me. I left the home with my heart full of happiness. It was the first time I'd ever done charity work. My parents suggested I try something like this, and I have to admit it really filled my soul."
"It's beautiful that your parents encouraged you to volunteer. Was there any particular reason?" I asked, curious."Well, Facu, as Catholics we're supposed to do works of charity, to help those in need. I've always been drawn to this kind of thing, but sometimes I felt a little sad. My parents advised me to get involved in something like this, but I didn't dare to do it alone. Thank God I met you," Catalina replied.
Her answer filled me with satisfaction. I wasn't just getting to know a special girl—I'd also been able to bring joy to others. The truth is, doing charity work fills the soul and gives life a deep sense of purpose.
When we reached the Cathedral, we climbed the steps, entered the church, and knelt down, making the sign of the cross. We prayed in silence, holding hands, sharing the same pew. During those five minutes of prayer, I felt an immense peace.
Praying next to someone so beautiful, who loves God and the Virgin Mary with such devotion, made my soul feel illuminated. I thanked God for having put her in my path.
When we left the Cathedral, we went to the Foundation's café. We ordered two coffees and sat facing each other, smiling as we talked about the volunteering and our lives."It was beautiful being with the grandparents. What we decided to do and share is something really special," I told her with gratitude.
We also talked about finally meeting in person."It was such a huge pleasure to meet you, Catalina. Seeing you in person makes me really happy.""Thank you! I'm happy too. It's a pleasure to share this with you. You're a very special person," she replied with a gentle smile.
After finishing our coffee, we walked toward Plaza Moreno. There we stopped in front of the Cathedral and stood admiring it."It's beautiful, isn't it?" she said with a soft smile."Yes, very much," I replied, although at that moment I wasn't looking at the cathedral—I was looking at her.
Catalina noticed and lowered her gaze a little, visibly blushing. It was such a simple but profound moment, as if we were both understanding something without having to say it. Then she pointed to one of the benches in front of the cathedral."Shall we sit for a little while?" she suggested.
I nodded, and we went over to one of the benches in Plaza Moreno. As we sat down, I dared to ask her something that had been on my mind for days."Cata, would you like us to keep volunteering together? I think we make a good team."
She looked at me with that golden light in her eyes that I loved so much and nodded enthusiastically."I'd love to, Facu. Really. Doing this with you is... special."
Her answer filled me with hope. I felt that God was guiding me on this path, and Catalina seemed like an essential part of it.
Our conversation continued for a while longer, until it started to get cold. Catalina pulled her red coat tighter and said with a smile:"I think it's time to head home.""Yes, of course. I'll walk you as far as you want."
We stood up from the bench and started walking together through the now-dark streets of La Plata. With every step I took beside her, I felt I was getting closer to something I had always longed for but had never truly found: a true love, full of faith and purpose.
When we reached the point where we had to say goodbye, Catalina looked at me and said:"Thank you for everything, Facu. It was a beautiful day.""Thank you, Cata. It wouldn't have been the same without you."
Suddenly, Cata turned toward me and took my hand, stepping closer."Can I ask you something?" she said sweetly."Of course, tell me," I replied, feeling my heart start to race."Would you like to go out with me again?"
Her question took me by surprise, but my answer came straight from the heart without any hesitation."Yes, I'd love to, Catalina."
We shared another hug."It was beautiful sharing this moment. Let me know when you get home," she told me."Thank you, Cata. You write me too when you get home. Take care," I replied.
She gave me a quick but warm hug. Then she slowly walked away, giving me one last look and a smile before disappearing around the corner.
The whole way home I couldn't stop smiling. Catalina had left such a deep impression on me.
That night, when I got home, I couldn't stop thinking about her. There was something about Catalina that made everything seem brighter, more full of life. Before going to bed, I knelt at the foot of my bed and prayed. I thanked God for having put Catalina in my path and asked Him to help me be worthy of her company and, perhaps, her love.
Something told me that this meeting wouldn't be the last, but the beginning of something wonderful.