I have a new perspective based on something I recently read. I’ve always hated the term “soul mate” because I think it’s a trap and leads people to think that there’s only one person in the universe to whom they could be married. Further, it creates the “right person” myth that says if you just meet the right person, everything will turn out all right. Instead, I believe that by becoming the right person, you will naturally gravitate toward people who reflect your character, beliefs and values. To me, there were many people that I could marry, find compatability and a healthy, loving relationship. Likewise, my wife could have literally chosen from dozens and dozens of pontential relationships that would have led to a healthy and happy relationship. I’m not unique, I’m not her soul mate, I’m just glad she chose me. But one idea I’ve come to embrace is that, even though we were not “soul mates” at the beginning, now that we are married, something has changed. Now that we have committed to each other to love, help and support each other, we are now walking on a journey where we will become soul mates over time. We didn’t get married because we were soul mates, but because we’re married and committed to each other, we will become soul mates as we grow old together. So I don’t hate the term “soul mate” any longer, as long as it’s used to describe the ending and not the beginning.