Take control of your days, envision the life you desire, and carefully consider your ideal retirement destination. However, in reality, life has its own plans in store for you. Life can be full of delightful surprises and unexpected obstacles.

Back when I was 19, I had the pleasure of crossing paths with a remarkable woman. In a nutshell, we wasted no time in moving in together, sharing a bedroom and even merging our finances. Shortly after our first anniversary, she unexpectedly left without giving me any notice while I was at work.

Only after a month had passed, I discovered she had moved out. It turns out she had tied the knot with her long-term boyfriend, whom she had been together with for 5 years.

It seemed as though her mom was completely unaware of my existence, and the older woman I encountered seemed more like an actress playing the role of her mom. I’ve been completely baffled by this for years.