The Chess Game of Life: Finding Your Ultimate Meet Cute Moment

How a strategy board game and my mini chess expert son taught me that the best rom-com is happening inside your own head

I never thought chess would teach me about life. Or rom-coms. Or self-discovery.

But here we are.

For years, I watched Lil Gent dominate the chess board with strategic brilliance far beyond his years. The same mind that solves Rubik's cubes in seconds tackles chess with a focus that's both intimidating and inspiring. Watching him play, I realized something: we're all playing chess, all the time.

Life's Most Unexpected Strategy Game

Every decision is a move. Every challenge is an opponent. Every victory and defeat shapes the game.

But unlike chess, life doesn't come with clear rules or boundaries. The board keeps expanding, pieces transform, and sometimes you find yourself playing an entirely different game than the one you started.

Sound familiar? It should. It's the plot of every great rom-com ever written.

The Meet Cute That Changes Everything

In classic rom-coms, the meet cute is that magical moment when two characters unexpectedly collide, setting their love story in motion.

But what if the most important meet cute isn't with someone else? What if it's with yourself?

Those moments when you suddenly see yourself clearly—your strengths, your patterns, your brilliant potential—that's the rom-com moment worth celebrating. It's the moment you realize you've been the main character all along.

Here's what chess taught me about navigating life's gloriously messy board:

1. The power move is often the unexpected one. When you break your own patterns and surprise yourself, magic happens.

2. Learn to laugh at checkmates. Every failure is just character development in your personal rom-com.

3. The best players think beyond the obvious. Look past the immediate move to see the possibilities three steps ahead.

Life rarely follows a script. Neither does chess. Neither should you. Find that meet cute moment with yourself. Recognize your potential. Make your next move count. What unexpected strategy will you try next?

Press Pause & Pass It On.

Inspired by International Chess Day (July 20)

Connect with me on Instagram and Pinterest @themeetcuteco for more Everyday Sillybrations and strategies for finding your own meet cute moments.