The quote from Curtis Sittenfeld's "American Wife" reflects on how we often perceive past events as destined or predetermined. This sense of inevitability arises mainly from hindsight, where the progression of events seems clear and fixed. However, at the moment of those events, numerous possible outcomes existed, and choices made could have led to different paths.

This perspective encourages us to consider the complexity of decision-making and the randomness of life. While we may look back and believe that certain events had to occur, it is essential to recognize the unpredictability and multitude of possibilities that define our experiences as they unfold.