Chapter 1: The Illusion of Perfect Love

Once upon a time, they were the epitome of a perfect couple. Tall, attractive, and widely admired, their chemistry was undeniable. She laughed at all his antics, while he catered to her every desire, exemplifying what true love could be. They were the quarterback and cheerleader duo, applying to the same college, moving in together, and seemingly destined to last forever.

However, reality intervened. He received an enticing job offer by the coast, while she needed to relocate across the country for her master’s degree. After seven years of a seemingly ideal relationship, they decided to part ways. The news hit me like a wave; I could hardly believe it. If any couple seemed destined for a happily ever after, it was them.

The reasons were clear. He couldn’t pass up his dream job, and she couldn’t forsake her dream school. Witnessing the struggles that long-distance relationships had caused for their friends, they chose to avoid that path. Their breakup was inevitable, and it became quite messy. Their love was so intense that it ultimately contributed to their downfall.

I found myself a spectator to this heart-wrenching situation. Their split shattered my belief that love alone could sustain a relationship. Instead, it became evident that another four-letter word held even greater significance: "luck."

Chapter 2: The Role of Luck in Relationships

Consider this: if you had left your house ten minutes earlier today, you might have encountered the love of your life. Or if you hadn’t attended that party a decade ago, you may never have connected with your spouse. The randomness of falling in love is striking. Whether you meet a potential partner, share mutual feelings, or find the right circumstances for a relationship is often left to chance.

Even seemingly perfect couples like my friends can face challenges when external factors disrupt their path. Despite their deep love and a relationship that lasted seven years, unfortunate timing led to their breakup. Had they crossed paths as adults with established careers, their story might have ended differently.

Yet, that’s not the only four-letter word that matters.

Chapter 3: Beyond Love—The Importance of Planning

Successful long-term relationships hinge on various elements—communication, honesty, trust, compromise, shared interests, and mutual respect. However, the most crucial factor in determining whether a relationship endures is indeed luck.

I often wish love resembled the fairy tales, where finding "the one" leads to everything falling perfectly into place. Unfortunately, life can be unpredictable. People evolve, and unforeseen events can alter everything. Sometimes, parting ways is the only viable solution.

But is there truly any value in pursuing relationships if they are largely dictated by chance? Absolutely. A partnership rooted in open communication, trust, compromise, shared interests, and, yes, love can endure if the circumstances are favorable.

The key is to create those favorable circumstances. My friends failed to do so, believing that love alone would suffice. They should have proactively planned their future instead of leaving it to chance. Today's love can blind us to tomorrow's challenges.

To ensure a relationship thrives, you must actively work to make it work. We can learn from their experience: while luck undeniably plays a significant role in long-term relationships, it can and should be minimized through thoughtful planning.

Many potential obstacles—such as job offers, desires for children, or preferred living arrangements—are foreseeable. Address these topics early in your relationship, and take steps to navigate them together.

Only those who are foolish believe that love alone is enough.