We hear that phrase all the time, don’t we? Everything happens for a reason. But have you ever stopped to think—what is the reason, exactly? Lately, I’ve been reflecting on some of the weird little moments in life, trying to figure out if the universe is just messing with me or if there’s some grand master plan I’m not privy to.

The Unexpected Encounter at the Airport

So, picture this: I recently took a whirlwind work trip to Okinawa. Fly in, do my thing, fly out. No sightseeing, no vacation—just business. One day I go, & the next morning, I wrapped up my work, called an Uber, zoomed straight to the airport, and checked in with time to spare. With two whole hours to kill before my flight, I did what any sane person would do—I cracked open a crime thriller (The Silent Patient, for those wondering—10/10, highly recommend).

Just as I was getting lost in the plot, a man approached me. Now, in Japan, random strangers don’t usually strike up conversations unless they have a reason. So, I was already on high alert.

“It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?” he said.

I looked up. He looked Japanese but had a perfect American accent, so I was momentarily confused. Maybe half-Japanese? Maybe just really good at English? Maybe an AI hologram? Who knows.

I smiled and agreed, “Yeah, it is.” Awkward silence. And then, like an icebreaker from a social experiment, he hit me with:

“So, where are you from?”

I told him I was English, and he responded with a polite “Oh, nice.” Then came the rapid-fire questions: Why are you here? What do you do for work?

Now, my work isn’t some top-secret government mission, but I also wasn’t about to spill my life story to a total stranger at Gate 18. So, I simply said, “Confidential. Can’t disclose.”

To his credit, he just nodded like I had casually told him I worked for the CIA and moved on.

The Slightly Awkward But Innocent Flirtation (Or Was It?)

Here’s the thing—this man was older. Not ancient, but like, dad-aged. And while I don’t assume every guy who talks to me is flirting (I mean, sir, I am trying to read about psychological thrillers, not live in one), I still wanted to make it clear that I am happily taken.

But how do you say that casually without making things more awkward? Do I just drop “By the way, I have a husband!”out of nowhere? Do I work it into the conversation naturally, like a subtle flex?

Then he asked me about my book and reading in general, and ding ding ding, I saw my chance.

“Oh yeah, I started reading it because of my “man”. We’re both studying psychology.”

And just like that, mission accomplished. He smiled, nodded, and switched gears to ask about my man instead. No weird vibes. No unwanted advances. Just a fellow human making conversation.

After a while, he had to catch his flight, and we went our separate ways.

But… What Was the Reason?

Now, here’s where my overthinking kicks in. What was the purpose of that meeting? If everything happens for a reason, what was that reason?

• Was the universe testing my ability to engage in small talk without panicking? (If so, 7/10 performance.)
• Was I supposed to challenge my assumption that strangers in Japan only talk to you with a purpose?
• Was this a sign to be more open to unexpected interactions?

Or maybe, just maybe, it was simply one of those random human moments—no deeper meaning, no hidden message. Just a brief connection between two strangers in an airport, sharing a tiny sliver of their lives before vanishing back into their own stories.

But I can’t help wondering… what if?

So, what’s the strangest, most random encounter you’ve had lately? And do you think it meant something? Or are we all just looking for meaning in a world of chance? Let me know in the comments!

loads of Luv

Hannah