Have you ever had a Sliding Doors moment that you look back on in your life?

By Sliding Doors, I am referring to the 1998 movie starring Gwyneth Paltrow. The premise of the flick shows two alternative parallels. Her character gets fired and rushes out of work to catch a subway home.

Scenario 1: She gets on the train and comes home to find her boyfriend in bed with another woman.  Scenario 2: She misses the train and arrives home after the woman has left.

In the first situation, the movie shows her dumping her boyfriend and eventually finding a new man as she gradually improves her life. In second situation, she becomes suspicious about his fidelity and grows miserable.

There are many moments in our lives when even making a small decision could change completely the direction of our lives. For example, deciding between two universities, or which job to take, or deciding not to get in a car with a drunk driver. All of those decisions could result in a completely different outcome on where life takes us.

This week, I received a message from a man and a woman I had connected and they were informing me they were dissolving their early romance. The words these two both used indicated absolute adoration for each other and they both said they felt they were better people from having met each other. It felt oddly special reading a thank you letter from a couple breaking up, but I could tell they were sincere and genuine about having felt this was a positive experience.

It may sound clichéd, but going through tough times does make us stronger and shapes who we are now. My hope as we go forward is that you will open your heart and your mind to the possibility of not just meeting a partner for life, but maybe a good friend or even someone who could actually lead you to your perfect match.

If you are only looking for a hook-up, or a much younger woman, or a man who is rich, there are apps for that. If you want a real relationship with a match who actually fits your criteria, physically and emotionally, you need to be willing to do some of the work. When you  join a gym, you can’t just look at the treadmill or the weights, you have to get moving and lifting and it takes time and commitment.  It will be rewarding once you have put in the effort.

Dating is no different. Remember, there is no such thing as a perfect person, but there is someone perfect for you. If someone is a little short, a few pounds heavy or a few years older than what you were expecting, big deal. Those sliding doors could close and you will never know.

I am still looking for a couple of bachelors to play The Dating Game at the Blue Grotto. If you know of a single man between the ages of 35 and 45 or 50 and 60, the first to sign up will get a $50 gift certificate to Save-On-Foods. If you are single, happy and looking to share your happiness with someone, contact me confidentially be email at tara@kamloopsthisweek.com.