Some stories are simply a stroke of pure luck. Whether it’s finding unexpected money or missing a train only to meet the love of their life, these moments show how the universe has a way of surprising us at just the right time. These people are perfect examples of how luck can change everything in an instant.

At the end of my first semester in grad school, a bunch of the first-year class were having a party at a friend’s house. I had promised to go, but when that night rolled around, I started having a serious down-swing mood and decided the best thing to do would be to stay at home in the dark and hide from the world. About an hour or two into the party, my friend who was hosting it called and asked where I was. I tried to beg off, but he was persistent. It was nice to feel so wanted, so I put on my deal-with-the-world face and went. Long story short, I stayed for hours after the party ended, talking with one of the other students who I had known only slightly until then. She and I have been together for just about nineteen years now.