I think many of us have reflected on the “sliding door” moments in our life. The what ifs? What might have been? How would my life be different now? I know I have.
It may be a split decision to take a different route home or leave ten minutes later from work, avoiding an accident.
It may be where we decide to live, our career choice, who we choose to marry. One decision can change the course of our life forever.
I am also very aware of the butterfly effect, the ripple effect, caused by that one decision. The family I now have and the friends I have made along the way.
A pivotal “sliding door” moment for me was when I met a very friendly girl in a cafeteria at school. We had two weeks left until the end of the Spring semester and we were discussing our Summer plans.
She was heading back to her hometown, Whitehorse and I was going to Yellowknife to work for the Summer. She told me about the beautiful Yukon Territory and the jobs that were available there. I reviewed the student job search bulletin board and two weeks later I was on an airplane heading to Whitehorse instead of Yellowknife.
My Summer job actually turned into four years of living in the beautiful Yukon. This is where I met my husband. And the rest is history.
Was I destined to meet my husband, possibly at a different time and place, or through different circumstances?
We found out that our paths may have crossed in a prior year. My family and I used to camp at a lake in the Interior of BC when I was a young girl. At that time, my husband lived on this lake immediately across from our campground.
I have heard many stories like this. One couple I know spent the first few days of their lives in the same hospital nursery. They were actually born on the same day. They met years later and married. Other friends found out they had attended the same basketball game years before they actually met. A random event? Fate? Serendipity?
There is also evidence of Parallel universes in modern science. Something about electrons spinning in different directions at the same time. Quantum physics. The theory is that there is a parallel you inhabiting a world that is no less real than ours, yet can accommodate different outcomes. Is there a copy of me existing right now in an alternate reality, a separate parallel universe? This concept is far too in depth and complicated for my brain, although intriguing.
I do not know whether our lives unfold by chance or whether we are on a preordained path. Do we have certain people in our lives for a reason? Are there lessons we are required to learn on this route?
I have reflected on the “sliding door” moments in my life, especially the summer I moved to the Yukon. I will never know how my life would have turned out differently, if I had taken that airplane to Yellowknife instead of Whitehorse.
My gut on this one? I am grateful I went through that one door over forty years ago, leading me to this rewarding life.
I cannot imagine my life without my husband, my daughters, my family, my friends. I was destined to be right here, right now.
Behind the Scenery 
Love it! Free will vs destiny vs fate….fascinating to ponder!! Ultimately I choose to believe that life happens “for me” not “to me.” The experiences and people I encounter on my journey have a purpose that allow me to learn lessons and grow into the person I’m meant to be. The pract
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I really love the concept of life happening “for me”………..seems to be the path I am on, too…….teachers, strangers, podcasts, books, friends……angels……..when I need their help or their lessons. I think part of your above note was ended in mid sentence. Thanks for reading and your input.🙏
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Destiny? I was originally going to Yellowknife to find work; however, my ride flaked out in Saskatoon. I hitch-hiked to Vancouver and then through various jobs, I ended up in Whitehorse. We met at work. Co-incidence or were we meant to be together. Soul-mates for over forty years.
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I’m on the Destiny side of the fence, Chuck ❌⭕️
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Beautiful photos! I believe in the right timing and ”everything happens for a reason”. I love this post!
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Thank you for your comment, Winnie. Some of the photos were taken over 40 years ago and converted from slides. I am definitely in reflecting mode, especially lately….our 40th. Anniversary next week. I am a newbie blogger trying to navigate this new world. Thanks for reading🙂
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You’re welcome. Wow! Ours is the 20th anniversary January next year. Happy anniversary! 🙂
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omg – you think just like I do!! I cycle through the what-if scenarios, what would I do differently if I could, and inevitably I end up exactly where I am. I do believe that things happen for a reason … like there is an ‘intuition’ that influences the decisions we make.
I love, love, love your photos – especially the 4th one in. Gorgeous!
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Thank you for reading my post and for your kind response. Some of the photos have been converted from slides. I am very new to blogging and I am on a big learning curve, especially the technical side. Lot’s of fun connecting with like minded people like you, and a fun, creative outlet. 🙂
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Hi, Erica/Erika – What a thought-provoking and inspiring post! My husband and I were just having a conversation on this topic. We met over 21 years ago through mutual friends. We later found out that we had spent several years of lunch hours in very close proximity (me on Yard Duty at the Middle School where I worked, he running the track right beside it). My vote is also for destiny.
I love your writing and have already signed up to read more!
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Hi Donna, Thank you for your kind note. I have heard many similar stories on paths crossing. I am also on the destiny side of the fence. I have been more sentimental and reflecting on my life since we are celebrating our actual 40th Anniversary tomorrow. I am a very new blogger and navigating this new world. I am on a huge learning curve, especially the technical side. Your site is a wonderful example. I love your header (I think that’s what it is called) photo! I look forward to browsing your past posts and reading your future insights! Erica
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Happy Anniversary Erica!
I have been blogging for almost 3 years. I knew absolutely nothing about blogging before I began. I recently switched to WP.com from WP.org and wished I would have made that change much sooner. Tech Errors are now very few. When they do happen…the Happiness Engineers take care of them. That leaves me free to read, write and connect. Heaven!!
I look forward to reading more on your site!
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Erica, this is a fabulous post. My head is spinning, caught in a delirious whirlpool of “what ifs.” James and I have often talked about what if my Dad’s job had not move our family from Chicago to a small town in Kentucky when I was a senior in high school. Would we have ever met? Who knows … but I’m sure glad we did. 🙂 We both agree our lives would be much different – probably much more traditional. Instead we’ve been able to gallivant together. Thanks for a great reminder of stepping through the right sliding door. 🙂 ~Terri
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Terri, I always find it interesting how couples meet. Often, some fascinating stories. Like you say “….I’m sure glad we did.” You have likely found this happens in the blogging community, too. Our paths cross. In my less than two years here, I have made some good friends. A few of them live only about two hours away from me. We have met up in real life. Another real treat. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. Thank you for building and reinforcing a supportive community of bloggers.🙂
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Erica, it’s a joy to get to know you! Here’s to MANY more conversations. 🙂 ~Terri
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I love your posts! There is so much joy in the deepening of treasures through the passage of time. And in the appreciation of each precious moment of love and connection. You made me smile this early morning. Thank you.
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Thank you for your very kind comment, Josaia. Anniversaries do make me stop and reflect on the passage of time. I am very grateful to be right here, right now. 🙂
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Your post makes a very good case for destined meant-to-be. (Although I do try not to think about quantum physics; it makes me head hurt.)
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I greatly appreciate you reading and sharing your thoughts here, Liz. I began to read about quantum physics and I could not really wrap my mind around these concepts. I think many of us have wondered at times about the destined meant-to-be. I have more questions than answers on this one. Thankful I ended up here.🙂
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This is a great read Erica and i love your take on life and the idea of sliding doors. I also love reading about how people meet up, so many thanks for sharing your lovely story. x
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Thank you, Deb. I am not sure whether you recall the movie “Sliding Doors.” It is interesting to reflect on some of our choices and then the resulting outcomes. I am always fascinated by synchronicity. I greatly appreciate your thoughtful, supportive words.xx💕
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Hi Erica – how did I not see this post before?? My husband and I met in a tiny country town that we were both posted to in our jobs for a small window of time and crossed paths and from there it was history. He had previously visited my youth group when I wasn’t there when we were about 16/17 – I’m glad we didn’t meet at such a young age – much better to have lived a few more years before destiny took over. And a different coincidence – our daughter and her husband’s best friend were born on the same day in the same hospital – life is full of these little snatches of serendipity – and I love hearing about them. x
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Hi Leanne, This was one of my first stories I wrote and sent away. This one decision, moving to Whitehorse versus Yellowknife changed the trajectory of my entire life.
You and your husband have a similar story. Your paths crossed in past years and then possibly the timing was right before ‘destiny’ took over. I was a very young teen when Chuck lived across the lake from where my family camped. Not the right timing for a relationship. Fascinating and goosebumpy about your daughter and her husband’s best friend, born on the same day in the same hospital. Thank you for sharing. xx
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