Right Person, Right Time
March 16th, 2025
Writer: Ava Goldberg
Editor: Zoe Gellert
A young American man shuffled seats before sitting beside a young Swiss-British woman at the Jewish Community Center in Hong Kong for Rosh Hashanah dinner.
This is the story of how my parents met. My parents were both 26 years old, living in Hong Kong for work and figuring out their lives. Little did they know that they would meet each other on the Jewish New Year and get engaged a year later. On his flight to Hong Kong, my dad struck up a conversation with a friendly passenger and they got to talking about where to go for Rosh Hashanah. Since my dad didn’t know the best place to go, he asked for advice, and the guy recommended the JCC, so they decided to go together. Once they arrived and sat down, my mom walked into the room—and the moment my dad saw her, he immediately switched seats to sit next to her. I am not typically a person who believes in love at first sight, but if this isn't it, then I don’t know what is.
There is a saying, “right person, wrong time,” but If someone is truly the "right person," no obstacle— timing, distance, or circumstances—should be enough to keep you apart. Right? Love, when it's real and mutual, means finding a way to make it work. The idea of "right person, wrong time" can sometimes be an excuse for something that wasn’t meant to last. Because if it was truly right, wouldn’t both people make it work no matter what? I don’t believe in the right person at the wrong time; it’s a myth we tell ourselves to soften the blow of things not working out. If the timing isn’t right, neither is the person—because the right person comes at the right time.
Nowadays, it seems that everyone is worried about finding their perfect match and trying to be in a relationship. I keep hearing my girlfriends say, “It will work in the future; he’s just super busy right now.” But to me, that’s not an excuse. If someone truly wants to be with you, they will make the time, no matter how busy they are. You’re never too busy for the right person; just prioritize what matters to you. If it’s the right person, the timing aligns because they choose you, not just when it’s convenient, but always.
That’s why I know when it’s the right person for me it will also be the right time. He won’t just be there when it’s easy. He’ll always be there.