Does everything happen for a reason?

Do you believe in fate? Fate can look different from person to person. It is a conversation I have been having with myself for quite some time, and the majority of time I do 100% believe that everything happens for a reason, but sometimes there is that small percentage where I believe that we make the lives we have for ourselves. When I think of fate, the first thing I think of is a soulmate or love. Soulmates could be a significant other, or even a friend, and I have had the privilege of experiencing both. It is the feeling of being deeply connected to somebody. And even though I have experienced this feeling, it also takes a lot of work to create a bond with somebody to feel a deep connection with. There is work involved. Fate makes it seem as if you meet the person, and you are instantly connected, which could happen, but I believe that every relationship requires work. Fate can also be something like a job not working out, and something better coming along. Fate on google is defined as the development of events that happen out of a persons control. I would say that I am an optimist. I really do always have hope in situations where a lot of people would not have hope. That is why majority of the time, I do believe in fate. So maybe fate is real once the relationship is established? Or maybe fate can only be determined by certain life events? What is your opinion on the subject? I would love to hear feedback, and if you have experienced a soulmate connection, what was it like?