ARE SOUL MATES REAL?Times Free Press readers respond to that question on Facebook.”I know that I do, she has been my best friend, wife and soul mate for over 37 years. I know that our light will never go out. We will remain as one forever. I love this woman with my whole being, and she certainly is my life’s inspiration.”- John Stadler”Both of us were getting painful but necessary divorces, and we met again by chance. We finish each other’s sentences, stand by each other no matter what, and still sit together and hold hands and kiss each other in public, even when our kids wish we wouldn’t.”- William Skinner”I found my other half over seven years ago. On June 6, 2009, we said ‘yes’ to eternity. He is my best friend and my eternal love. I would be lost without him.”- Heather Walker”I found my soul mate at the age of 21. He passed away suddenly on September 3, 2009. Those were the best years of my life. Once you’ve had such joy, how can you dare ask God for a second miracle?”- Angela Davis”I have been with my soul mate almost 34 years. Still waiting on this state and country to acknowledge that all love is equal. I would be honored to be married to him one day.”- Todd O’Dell”I was at the lowest point of my life when I met her on a blind date in September of 1993. I will never forget when she opened the door that night and her eyes shot arrows into my heart. Cupid’s arrows, I suppose. It was really love at first sight.”- Henry Camp”Saw mine from across the room, and there’s been no one else ever since. Fourteen years ago on April 1, I became love’s fool and Philip followed me.”- Heather Beene Booker”In April, we will be married for 27 years. He is my heart. God created him for me and me for him. We are best friends and fight like cats and dogs. I cannot imagine ever loving anyone but him. There is no doubt he was made for me and we were meant to meet that day.- Dawn Thornton”We met in 1999, and within a week we were married at the courthouse in Chattanooga. We have had our ups and downs just like everyone, but we can’t imagine our lives without each other. Every time I see him I fall in love with him all over again.”- Mandy Collake
Forget hard to find. Sometimes, the quest for one’s fated partner can feel like trying to lasso a greased unicorn. For some, despite years of waiting and hoping, it never happens.
But those who believe they’ve found the love of their life say the search was worth it, given the sense of wholeness they now feel.
According to a 2011 poll by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, two-thirds of Americans believe in the existence of a predestined soul mate, and those who say they’ve found theirs have a myriad of stories for how they ended up together.
Some locals who describe themselves as soul mates met as children but didn’t feel a deeper connection until much later in life. A few were perfect strangers who fell in love as soon as they were introduced.