Questions answered (Part 2)

Did you always know you wanted to be a teacher?
Oh yes, I probably knew at age 5. I used to play school and teach my sister, brother, and half of the neighborhood. I was always in charge of something and that started at a very young age.

What is one thing most you miss about being a kid?
I was so lucky to have such an amazing childhood. I had a mom that stayed at home and a grandma and great-aunt that would take me to every corner of St. Louis. Although I loved all of the adventures and fun that I had as a child, I really miss the carefree lifestyle of childhood. I find myself WAY too worried and anxious all of the time. I wish I could always relax and enjoy life the way only a child can.

If you knew could you try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt?
I would definitely move to New York and try out for a Broadway show. Or let's take it down a notch...I would try out for the Muny. Or Stages. Or any community theater. I would have to take acting lessons first but if I knew that I wouldn't fail, I would do it!

When is the first time you ever drank a beer?
I think the first time sneaking a sip of a beer was in middle school. I hope I don't get fired for admitting that. :)

How did you and Mike meet?
Mike and I actually went to the same high school. He is a year older than me and we didn't really cross paths too much in high school. I was a cheerleader and in show choir and he was an artist and skater. The closest interaction we had in high school was when we both spent a week as 6th grade camp counselors in 2000.

After I graduated from Mizzou, I went to a going-away party of a friend that was moving to Chicago. He went to KU with Mike so he was there too. I remember walking into the party, seeing Mike on the couch, and instantly started talking to him. I didn't even know him well from high school but we talked most of the evening. He gave me his business card and I invited him to my concert (I sang in a band) at Helen Fitzgerald's that was the next night. He came, we hung out, and stayed up all night talking at a friend's house. I got home the next morning at around 7 am after talking to Mike all night and told my mom that I met the man I was going to marry.

They were reunited at a mutual friend's house the summer after Lauren graduated. Mike had been working as a graphic designer for a year and Lauren was beginning the job search for a teaching job. That night, they hit it off instantly! Lauren was singing in a band at the time and was performing a concert the next night. She invited Mike to come and watch and he did. After the concert, a group of friends hit the town but Lauren and Mike were side by side, getting to know each other. Throughout that night and into the early morning, the two stayed up until 7 AM talking and laughing. Mike asked Lauren on a date for the next weekend but they ended going out only 2 nights later. The two have been together ever since!

This picture was taken at Helen Fitzgerald's that night...


Are you planning any more home renovation projects? Because your kitchen turned out beautiful!
Thanks so much! We haven't done much to the house after the kitchen and sunroom. We are planning on painting the basement and building cabinets over the bar. We need to get on that!

What is your favorite book?
Until this summer, I wasn't much of a reader. Don't get me wrong, I read A LOT...but, they are all children's books. I am constantly reading new books for book clubs in my class. However, this summer, I read a bunch of books. My favorite of the summer was Water for Elephants. I must say that I LOVED the Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons when I was in college.