One last story about Lauren I want to share.  Again, the Lauren I remember was an elementary school child.  She was the kind of child who just knew how to get what she wanted regardless of the circumstances.  She was sweet and cute and she knew it.  Somehow, she totally believed that her charm would even work on God.  She wanted a cat so bad that she started praying to God for one.  One day a stray cat showed up out of nowhere and Lauren confidently announced to everyone that it was her cat.  I don't know how long the cat stayed around but to my recollection, the cat stayed at the Mullens home as if it belonged there.  Somehow, she had managed to even charm God!

Another funny story I remember about Lauren was at our home in Brookville.  Keep in mind she was probably only early elementary school age at the time.  Our families were playing on the Nintendo GameCube a snowboarding game called "SSX Tricky".  Lauren thought the title of the game was hilarious.  In her mind, she believed the the game was called SAX Tricky.  What was even funnier, was the fact that she thought SAX was the actual word SEX!  She laughed and said, "They are having SAX!" We laughed so hard and weren't sure if we should correct her or just let her go on with the idea!

I have a few Lauren stories to share that I am just now getting around to.   I remember her as a toddler and elementary school child when she lived with her family in Ohio.  We have an exotic grocery store named Jungle Jim's just North of Cincinnati.  Inside are foods from all over the world as well as statues of animals of different kinds.  There was an elephant statue that we were noticing and discussing if it was an Asian elephant or an African elephant.  Lauren, in her most innocent child voice exclaimed "That's not a frickin' elephant (meaning African).  We all burst into laughter.  She was really good at saying funny things like that.

a night with friends — with Lauren Wagner, Hunter Wagner and Marissa Flores

one of my favorite outfits she wore out — with Lauren Wagner

a night with lauren

when i first met lauren my husband and i had just moved right next door to her. we both threw halloween parties right next door to each other, hunter came over and asked if we wanted to mix parties lol, and we did. the very first impression of her was “ wow she’s beautiful “ my second impression was “ we’re going to be the greatest of friends “  she was so bright and cheerful , kind and sweet ! we spoke every day afterwards and she invited my husband and i over the next day and we became inseparable. she was loving and caring from the beginning, she showed me that loving and trusting your friends was important and showed me that even though we had just met she was here for me . she was very important in my life and often reminded me how she loves us and how she cares for us. she was sassy and loved to stand up for herself and others. she was a light in this world and often reminded me that everything will be okay. she supported me through every hard moment ( family issues, marital issues and mental health issues ) she was so strong and it was a blessing and an honor to have known and be loved by her. she was a real friend and was never afraid to share her love with us. 

sunny days, any german shepherd & boxers i see ( she loved her dogs with all her heart they truly were her babies ) california sunsets , butterflies and boots , any luke bryan song , ANY BROWN HORSES  ❤️

I wanted to share my original words for my beautiful daughter, Lauren Kate.

For those that knew her, you know that her life never would have been big enough or long enough to contain all that she had to offer. I thought I would share some of my favorite things about her:

-Lauren was wild & untamed. I’d tell you rules didn’t apply, but she’d follow them if she really had to. She was my precocious child. My sneak cookies & break rules & test every boundary child.

She knew that her life was for tasting & feeling & being.

-I always loved her in yellow. In yellow she’d light up & remind me of the sun on your face on a cool day. In yellow she looked bright & free.

-Her favorite color was green. Her eyes were hazel but would turn a mesmerizing green just like a mood ring always telling me when she was sad or mad.

-She was mischievous from birth & even daily tasks were either an adventure or a chore.

She would either be making faces at people walking by or she would be plotting her next embarrassing joke by wearing a bra on her head or holding giant granny panties to your butt in the store when you weren’t looking.

-She was sharp tongued & witty even when she was sick. Her laugher contagious.

Every day with her was gift. She lived as much as she could in 24 years and I learned so much in her & through her. I reflect on her life like she was a wild flower or a beautiful breeze. Neither were meant to be held. If you were lucky enough, you would get to admire how beautiful she would blossom and how flexible she could bend with the storms. If you were truly present you could smell her sweetness and admire her delicate features & you would know that her season was limited.

Thank you Lauren for bringing beauty, joy & laughter into my world. I miss you every day. Love you forever, Mom 

I’ll never ever forget when I first met Lo, there was never any awkwardness between us it’s just like we jumped straight into being best friends. In the same day only hours apart, we went from meeting each other for the first time to her showering while I did medical treatment and then afterwards I watched as she took care of her own medical care and she taught me all about it. As a person who was going to camp for the first time, I was super private and not open about my own medical issues so to see her be so open and honest right off the bat was truly inspiring and changed how I viewed my own stuff forever. She had a way of impacting peoples lives like that, once you meet her, you are forever changed. Not only was I in awe of how cool she was, she was drop dead gorgeous too. Not only was she the prettiest girl I had ever met, she was absolutely f**king hilarious too. Lauren’s ability to tell it how it is and be so open yet kind was beyond refreshing. Whenever I needed an honest opinion about anything she was always my first text as I knew I could trust her to give me her full honest opinion or call me out on my bullshit. Oh how I adored her for that. Lo will forever be the person I want to run to, text, call, FaceTime, and Snapchat first and I will miss her more than I can express in words, however I vow to live the rest of my days how Lauren would. Fiercely and ferociously. 

Lauren was a beautiful soul I loved being part of her care. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Lie peacefully Lauren 

First year of rally- when and where Becca and Lo met for the first time

First year of rally- when and where Becca and Lo met for the first time

First year of rally- when and where Becca and Lo met for the first time

First year of rally- when and where Becca and Lo met for the first time

First year of rally- when and where Becca and Lo met for the first time

First year of rally- when and where Becca and Lo met for the first time

First year of rally- when and where Becca and Lo met for the first time

First year of rally- when and where Becca and Lo met for the first time

First year of rally- when and where Becca and Lo met for the first time

First year of rally- when and where Becca and Lo met for the first time

First year of rally- when and where Becca and Lo met for the first time

First year of rally- when and where Becca and Lo met for the first time