There is no such thing as a soul mate. Why? Because if you actually believe there is one person on the entire face of the planet for you, what are the chances that they live on the same continent, let alone in the same city? How can there only be one person out of seven billion who will understand, accept and love you (and vice versa)?
Romanticizing that you have a soul mate is a cheap, courage-less, not-willing-to-work-hard way of looking at things because it means love is easy. It's magic. It just sort of happens.
Now, there is such a thing as infatuation, but it's temporary. As soon as things get a little difficult or the other person starts showing who they really are, the relationship takes a turn for the worse.
True love evolves. It doesn't appear spontaneously, but grows and develops, mostly through two people working things out together (F.Y.I.: "staying around" is not the same thing as "working it out"). Only when you've been through trials and tribulations, and to hell and back again several times with that person (and made it out hand in hand), do you respect and admire each other. That is love.
There are probably enumerable people on the face of the Earth that you could have a wonderful, loving life with if you (and they) are emotionally and psychologically healthy and mature. There is no such thing as a soul mate.
