The late afternoon sun kissed the horizon, casting a golden glow across the still waters of the lake. The gentle sound of waves lapping at the shore filled the air, and the breeze carried the scent of blooming wildflowers. It was the kind of peaceful setting you'd always imagined when Nicholas suggested a picnic Bible study date.
You hadn't known what to expect when he brought up the idea. Sure, you'd had plenty of casual outings together—coffee dates, late-night conversations, and even a movie or two—but this felt different. Intimate. Intentional.
When you arrived at the lakeside park, Nicholas was already there, laying out a blanket beneath a large oak tree that offered a perfect balance of shade and sunlight. A wicker picnic basket sat beside him, and a small stack of books—two Bibles and a journal—rested at the edge of the blanket.
"Right on time," he said, looking up with that easy smile that always made your heart flutter.
"I didn't want to miss this," you replied, stepping onto the blanket.
Nicholas stood and gave you a quick once-over, his gaze lingering a little longer than usual. "You look amazing."
"Thanks," you said, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the sun.
He gestured for you to sit, and you eased onto the blanket while he unpacked the picnic basket. There were sandwiches, fresh fruit, and two mason jars of sweet tea.
"I hope you like turkey and avocado," he said, handing you a sandwich wrapped in wax paper.
"Perfect," you replied, taking it with a grateful smile.
For a while, the two of you ate in companionable silence, the peaceful atmosphere doing most of the talking. You watched the water shimmer in the sunlight, ducks gliding lazily across the surface.
"So," Nicholas began, setting his empty jar of iced tea aside, "ready to get into it?"
You nodded, nervous but excited. You'd always admired how openly he talked about his faith, but you'd never shared something like this with anyone before.
Nicholas reached for one of the Bibles, flipping to a bookmarked page. "I thought we could start with one of my favorite passages," he said, his voice warm and inviting. "Psalm 23."
You smiled. "A classic."
He grinned. "Can't go wrong with the classics."
As he read aloud, his voice was steady and soothing, each word carrying a weight of sincerity:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
You couldn't help but glance at the lake, the stillness of the water mirroring the words Nicholas was reading.
When he finished, he looked up at you. "What stands out to you in that passage?"
You took a moment to think, running your fingers along the edge of your Bible. "I think it's the part about restoring the soul. Life gets so overwhelming sometimes, and I guess... it's comforting to know there's someone guiding us, even when we feel lost."
Nicholas nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah. It's easy to get caught up in the noise of everything. For me, this passage is a reminder to slow down, to let go of control and just... trust."
You admired the way he spoke with such conviction, his words full of quiet strength. It was one of the things that had drawn you to him—the way he was both grounded and endlessly kind.
"I brought a journal," he continued, pulling it from the stack of books. "Sometimes I write down what I'm grateful for. Helps me keep perspective. Want to give it a try?"
You hesitated, but his encouraging smile made it impossible to say no.
"Sure," you said, taking the journal and pen he offered.
For the next few minutes, the two of you wrote in comfortable silence. You listed simple things: the warmth of the sun, the sound of the water, the fact that Nicholas had gone out of his way to plan this day.
When you handed the journal back, Nicholas glanced at your list, his expression softening.
"These are beautiful," he said, his voice low. "I love that you included the little things. It's easy to overlook them, but they're the ones that matter most."
You felt a blush rise to your cheeks. "What about you? What are you grateful for?"
Nicholas flipped the journal to his page and read aloud: "The chance to be here, in this moment. The people who've shaped me. And... you."
Your breath caught. "Me?"
He looked up, his gaze steady and unwavering. "Yeah. You."
There was a vulnerability in his eyes that made your heart skip a beat. For a moment, neither of you spoke, the weight of his words hanging in the air.
"I don't think I've ever met anyone like you, Y/N," he said finally. "You make me want to be better—more present, more intentional. And honestly? I didn't realize how much I needed that until now."
Your chest tightened, the emotions bubbling up all at once. "I don't even know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything," he said softly. "I just wanted you to know."
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting everything in hues of orange and pink. The world felt smaller, quieter, as if it were holding its breath for the two of you.
Nicholas reached out, his fingers brushing yours. It was a small gesture, but it carried a weight that felt almost sacred.
"Can I pray with you?" he asked.
You nodded, your throat too tight to speak.
He took your hand in his, his touch warm and steady, and bowed his head.
"God, thank You for this day, for this moment. Thank You for bringing Y/N into my life, for the way she sees the world with such grace. Help us to trust in You, to be open to where You lead us. Amen."
"Amen," you whispered, your voice trembling.
When he lifted his head, his eyes met yours, and something unspoken passed between you—a shared understanding, a quiet promise.
In that moment, beneath the fading light of the day, you realized that this was more than just a picnic by the lake. It was the beginning of something beautiful, something built on faith, trust, and the quiet assurance that you didn't have to face the world alone.
And as Nicholas's fingers laced with yours, you knew you were exactly where you were meant to be.
