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Luck of the Irish, Fate or Chance? by Sara Humphreys

March 17, 1967 --the day my parents met.

The east coast had been slammed by a massive spring snow storm but that didn't stop two groups of college kids (or thousands of others) from enjoying the parade in New York City. Both of them were just 19 years old and on their way to NYC for the festivities with their friends. They'd spotted one another at the New Rochelle train station while waiting in the bitter cold for the crowded train. My Father tried to follow the gorgeous blond but once they reached Grand Central...the sea of people had swallowed her up. The platinum haired beauty seemingly lost to him.


However, several hours later they spotted each other again.

My mother and her two friends were standing under the big clock at The Biltmore Hotel. My Dad, having participated in his share of Saki, sauntered right up to her and said, "Hey weren't you the girls we saw at the train station this morning?" My Mother looked up at the handsome boy with the smiling brown eyes and said, "Yes."
The rest as they say is history and so was John Potter... my mother's boyfriend at the time.

There's much more to the story of course. It's a story that all of their children know by heart. They've been married for over 40 years, have four children, six grandchildren and a seventh on the way.  Their enduring romance inspires me every day to write happily ever afters.


 
What if they hadn't taken that same train in the morning? What if my Dad hadn't looked over at that one moment and seen my Mother's face in the crowd? Was it fate or was it mere chance that they found each other that day?


Me? I believe in fate but on that cold, snowy spring day I think they had the luck of the Irish.

My shifters in the Amoveo Legend series have pre-destined mates. What about you? Do you believe in fate? Or do you think we find our other halves by chance?

Leave a comment here on the blog and I'll select one lucky commenter to win signed copy of  both Unleashed and Untouched!

Comments

  1. I LOVED your post, Sara! I firmly believe in fate, destiny and love-at-first sight...and the luck of the Irish, too :)

    I'm so happy to hear that you do too. How lovely to have grown up with that perfect example.

    Slainte'

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  2. Great post, Sara! I had to do an interview where the interviewer asked if I believed in love at first site. Yes. I know several who met that way and have been married forever.

    My favorite was about a man and woman on a hike, different groups, and he leaned down to do something on the trail and she tripped over him. In a tumble of arms and legs, they first met. And are still married after about 30 years :)

    May the luck of the Irish always be with you!

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  3. I am a believer in "love at first sight" I fell in love with my husband the first time I saw him.

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  4. @CH-Thanks. I am very fortunate to have had them as an example. They're the best.

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  5. @Terry-That's a great story!! Thanks for sharing.

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  6. @Gail-Love hearing that :) Thanks for coming by today.

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  7. Hi Sara,
    I think it's kinda a little of both. We are fated for someone and lucky enough to find them. Your parents story is lovely too.

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  8. @Laurie-I like that theory. I think it's a bit of both too. Thanks very much for stopping by the blog today.

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  9. I believe in love at first sight and soul mates...I think fate doesn't always let you meet at the right time

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  10. @AndieLeah-I agree....timing is everthing!

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  11. Wonderful post. I sometimes think that about me and my husband. Had I not seen a picture of his bottom on his profile picture, I would never have whispered him. Its the one part of him thats not changed.

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  12. @Kooks--LOL. A fine backside is a good thing..especially if it stays fine! Thanks for swinging by!

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  13. Can I still be a romance writer if I say chance? I know it's more romantic to say fate, but I think we make our own fate.

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  14. Loved this post! I absolutely believe in love at first sight, and that we are fated to meet that particular someone.
    I was dating someone else when I met my husband - I felt the connection right away. Broke it off with the boyfriend, went out with Tony, who proposed 3 weeks later and we were married 3 weeks after that. We just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary on Tuesday. If specific events hadn't happened, we never would have met. Neither one of us was from the state or town where we were living at the time, so I completely believe in destiny and fate having a hand in love!

    Gena Robertson
    robertsongena@hotmail.com

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  15. @Shana--I can get behind that too. The choices we make certainly determine the path of our lives.

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  16. @Gena-What a great story! Congrats on 25 years. That's an amazing accomplishment. Thanks so much for coming by today :)

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  17. I agree, great post! Loved your answers.
    I believe in fate, that there is something bigger than us out there with His hand in everything.

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  18. while i do believe in fate... i think love happens by chance more often then not... me and my bf found eachother through the internet.. halfway across the country from eachother... lol

    alainala At hotmail DOT ca

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  19. What a romantic post. Personally, I believe in fate but with a story like that of your parents' it is hard to say....fate or luck, indeed!

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  20. I LOVE hearing about happy couples, they way they met and that they actually did enjoy a life of true happiness *sigh!
    It just so rare now-a-days and people do not love and cherish they way it once was and as it should be.

    Thank you for sharing :)

    ~Ava~

    dragonlady029@aol.com

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  21. Great post. I do believe in fate and there is someone out there for everyone. :)

    Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  22. I do think I believe in destiny, but also in free choice. That explains my first BIG mistake with my ex before I met my husband. LOL

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  23. I believe in destiny. I don't think there is just one person for each of us though. I think we have to allow ourselves to be open to possibility. Fate plays a part but we have to be ready for it.

    geishasmom73 AT yahoo DOT com

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  24. I think fate is what you make of it. I met my guy in high school - he was the new kid who had traveled the world (air force brat lol) and I had never left my hometown. We're definite opposites but that keeps things very interesting and has for 43 yrs. Love both your covers!

    catslady5(at)aol.com

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  25. Very cute story. I think it's a little bit based on fate and chance.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  26. @Lexi-Agreed and thanks for coming by the blog today.

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  27. @Alaina-More and more folks are finding their true love online. Thanks for sharing your story.

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  28. @Lil-I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by :)

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  29. @ReneEva--These long love stories are getting fewer and far between. I'm a hopeless romantic and married my college sweetheart. 21 years together and counting...

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  30. @CrystalGB--Indeed! A lid for every pot :)

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  31. @Brenda--Don't we all have that ex that was a big fat mistake! I think dating the stinkers makes us appreciate the good one even more.

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  32. @StacieD-Ready, willing and open to what the universe has in store!

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  33. @catslady--43 years?! That's aweseome!! Congrats xx

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  34. @bn100--You may be right. I'm glad you enjoyed their story. Thanks for stopping by my post today.

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  35. What a wonderful post. Thanks for sharing, Sara!

    I definitely do believe in fate and a bit of luck in how people find each other. I'm a romantic at heart so I love hearing real-life love stories like this :)

    Also, thanks for the giveaway chance!

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

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  36. I think there is a element of both. Fate can bring the right two together. But chance decides if they will follow it and make something of a life together.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  37. Hi Sara,

    great post. I believe in fate, destiny and love-at-first sight ( my parents are the best example for it)

    dannyfiredragon@aol.com

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  38. Yes, I believe in fate but I also believe that fate alone won't make a relationship work. Time, trust and love are also important factors. That's why in romances I liked rooting on fated lovers as they try for that HEA.

    Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  39. @Winnie-I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting!

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  40. @Donnas-I like that idea...a blend of the two. Thanks for swinging on by!

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  41. @Danny--That's the best example of all! xx

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  42. @Na-_Good point! Fate doesn't mean it will be easy :)

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  43. Okay...names went into the hat....the winner is...@ReneAva! Check your email!

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