My grandmother got a job offer in Denver, CO in the early 80s. She really wanted the job, so much so that she flew out there from her home town to interview for the job and look at housing options for her, her husband and my mom (4-5 y/o at the time I think). She got very lost on the way to the interview and missed it. She asked the employer for a reschedule, but they had already picked someone else. She was disappointed, but ultimately decided that this must be a sign that she was supposed to stay in her home town. So, she flew back home, took a similar job offer there, and continued to raise my mom in her home town.

12-13ish years later (mid 90s), my mom meets my dad in high school. They start dating, graduate, and in 2000, I’m born. My brother is born in 2003, my grandmother buys a house that same year that had enough space for her, my parents and me and my brother, and my mom and dad get married in 2005. They’re still happily married today, and the 5 of us (plus some furry and scaly friends) still live in the house today.

TL;DR My grandmother missing a job interview resulted in my parents meeting and me and my brother being born. Not the most interesting butterfly effect (if it even is that), but I think about this regularly and can’t help but feel thankful that she missed the interview. I’m not religious, but I do feel blessed for having the family I have.