What is a Soulmate?

I hear the term "soulmate" passed around, as if it is a term that replaces "lover" or "correspondent." It is neither, as far as I can tell. Neither mates nor close relatives qualify as soulmates.

To me, a soulmate is someone on whom you could depend upon to make the end-of-life decision without regard to their own personal prejudices about death, and without considering their own plight based upon that decision.

Though I will listen to arguments that mates can be soulmates, I have yet to be convinced by such an argument. Usually, the argument is an emotionally based charge that qualifies anyone who is a current lover. Even if the love lasts, it is still far-fetched to believe that a mate is also a soulmate.