
I can definitely say at least in my experience I do believe that the universe has something to do with love :) I moved from a different state, ended up in the same neighborhood as my bf, grew up from 6th-11th grade being acquaintances/ mutual friends and ended up together the summer before our senior year because we ended up talking to each other more. I just like to believe the butterfly effect / etc does play a role sometimes
I guess in my mind if there was someone who the universe says im predetermined ed to be connected to by some sort of otherworldly force, well then the things that make us connected (shared experiences/interests/morals) feels more like universal orchestration, not two people who have been shaped by thousands of experiences and mutual growth that happened to intersect at the right time and willingly choose each other for who they are
somewhat ironically that’s exactly how my parents met. also ironically, your point sort of strengthens my argument more. the seating chart only determines the opportunity, not the relationship shared. the connections between them and what forms after is entirely up to the students. sure, its chance they sat next to each other, there’s circumstance involved in every relationship, but there’s absolutely a separation between how people meet and why they stay connected
I mean there’s definitely a notable distinction between a deterministic force that coerces you to inevitably fall in love with a certain person and circumstances that give people the opportunity to interact with people they’re compatible with. There’s also something slightly uncomfortable to be said about the free will violations that the various concepts of ‘destined romances’ evoke.