We cringed too, when thinking if we didn't check a certain box, that we might miss out on what was truely meant to be. I think maybe the decision to check those boxes was, in a way, made out of fear. The fear of, as Laurie put it so well, forfeiting too many blessings!
Just another way to look at it the same way I guess.
Amanda, Hugs to you! I hope all is well!