*The power of prayer in love and communication.* Dear Journal, D and I are two very different individuals. While he’s now more reserved, I have become a supposed chatterbox. Interestingly, when we were still in the talking stage, our roles were reversed. I was the quiet one, and D was more vocal. He would always offer a penny for my thoughts. Fast-forward to today, and the dynamic has shifted. I now love to talk, while D has become more reserved. At first, his quietness made me uneasy. I wondered if he was bottling up emotions or keeping things from me. It upset me, and in response, I began withdrawing as well, keeping my thoughts to myself. But this only left me feeling worse. I wanted to express my feelings to someone I deeply care about, but I also didn’t want to be the only one talking. This emotional back-and-forth led me to pray about our situation. Prayer has always been a powerful tool for me. I recall a moment from my teenage years when I walked into the kitchen and overheard my eldest sister praying over the meal she was making. She asked God to make it turn out well—and it did! That moment stuck with me, shaping my belief in the power of prayer. As cliché as it sounds, prayer changed everything in my situation with D. It didn’t just give me clarity—it helped me grow. The first thing I learned was to look inward before reacting. Instead of assuming the worst, I started reflecting on my own approach: _Was I being patient? Was I giving him the same space he once gave me?_ This newfound self-awareness helped me voice my concerns with more grace and understanding. We’re still learning and growing, but I no longer feel weighed down by frustration. Through prayer, I’ve become more expressive and more empathetic. I’ve learned that true communication isn’t just about speaking—it’s about understanding, listening, and giving others the freedom to express themselves in their own way. I hope you try this approach sometime. Remember, communication and empathy go hand in hand. Sending you warm hugs, as always! Cheers to clarity and peace in all spheres of our lives. Love, Aby 💕