Here’s an existential question for everyone: Do we all have somebody in the universe that is truly “the one” that we’re meant to end up with? Does fate or destiny exist in leading us to eventually meet this person? Or, more reasonably, do we construct within our minds our idea of “the one” and make the person we end up with our “notion of the one”? In a world with ever-increasing divorces, it’s important we address the logistics that frame our discussion of the question to inevitably obtain answers.

In the movie Serendipity, John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale meet one another at Bloomingdale’s, and sensing a mutual attraction with one another, they share an ice cream at a place called “Serendipity 3″. Being that they both left an item there, they return the next day to encounter one another yet again – hallmarking the idea of “fate” within their lives in re-encountering one another. From that point on, Kate agrees that if it’s meant to be it’s meant to be – fate will happen – and subsequently writes her phone number on a $5 dollar bill which inconveniently flies away. And as any Hollywood movie would end, they eventually re-encounter one another various times through the rising and falling action – fate restored by the movie’s ending.

And yet, that is a movie. In real life, is fate likely to happen to propel us to find “the one”? Does “the one” even exist, or is it merely a social construct created by humans (after all completely conflicting with the laws of nature)?

In an effort to obtain answers these questions from various perspectives, I consulted none other than…. Yahoo Answers!

I agree with these posts all differently. I agree that it’s highly unlikely that there’s only “1″ person meant for everyone in the universe, but instead that there are multiple people. But, to live a life where you’re merely pursuing for the “perfect person” seems highly unrealistic. Instead, it is in your personal decision whether someone is good enough to be “your one”, for life. Nobody is perfect, and the subsequent flaws you choose in a significant other must be either minimal in your eyes or attractive. Some traits of people that might be unattractive to some can be seen in a significant order as unique or special. In the end, I will hold out the hope that the “one” does exist, but it is still your responsibility to go out and pursue that person. Leaving it up to “fate” dramatically reduces the ability by which to obtain said person, despite what the writers of Serendipity would have you believe.

After all, you don’t want to end up singing these lyrics later in life:
In another life, I would make you stay
So I don’t have to say you were “the one” that got away.