Always and Forever

When I was 6-weeks-old my mom, Lauren, joined a play-group. Moms with children who were born around the same time met once a week to exchange advice, tell stories & share in the excitement of motherhood with others. In this playgroup my mom met fellow Buffalo Grove resident, Lauri Bauer. She had a son born a month earlier than me (he in July, me in August) named Alex. 

Lauri's first words to my mom were, "Are you related to Barry Margolin?" It turns out that her and my dad were both from Lincolnwood and had been friends while growing up. My Mimi Lynne had been Lauri's softball coach and my Poppop Norm had been the one to give Lauri her middle school diploma (which is sort of ironic because Lauri's husband, Scott, gave me my middle school diploma). After that first exchange my mom and Lauri became best friends. Alex was my not only my first friend, but also my best. The majority of my childhood pictures are of me and Alex on play-dates, dressing up together for Halloween and just being goofy kids.

Justin, Alex, me, Brett & Jake

Both Lauri and my mom had kids again at the same time in 1997: my brother Justin in February and Lauri's son Jake in January. My parents stopped at two kids, but the Bauer's had a third son named Brett in 1999. Our families have always been inseparable and I'm thankful that we still are today. 

I grew up spending every New Years Eve and school break on vacation with them. We both lived in Buffalo Grove about 2 minutes away from one another and then later on both moved to the same neighborhood in Long Grove and live 4 houses down from one another. I was blessed enough to grow up with two sets of parents (my biological mom and dad and Lauri and Scott) and four siblings (my biological brother, Justin, and Alex, Jake and Brett). Everything and everyone was happy. 

But my world was completely turned upside down when Lauri died suddenly of a heart arrhythmia on January 5th, 2011. I'd never lost someone close to me before and her sudden passing left me devastated, confused and heart-broken. Not only did I lose my second mom, but I lost a piece of myself. Lauri had been my rock. She'd been my confidant, fashion advisor and friend since I'd been 2 months old and suddenly she was gone. 


Even though it's been over two years since Lauri has passed, I still think about her everyday. Luckily, her memory will always live on thanks to her family and friends. I'm not sure who came up with the idea to start a foundation in her memory, but since its creation it has been a huge success. Not only has it tremendously helped families that have suffered from a sudden loss in their lives, but it has helped Lauri's spirit live on.

The Lauri S. Bauer Foundation for Sudden Loss is non-profit organization that is dedicated to "help others, give them the tools to heal and watch them find hope after experiencing a sudden loss." The foundation is truly a triumph and is providing amazing help to families dealing with the loss of a loved one. I would highly recommend checking out the LSB Foundation's website (it's linked right above) to see what they do and how you can get involved!

This past Thursday was the Lauri S. Bauer Foundation for Sudden Loss' 3rd Annual Golf Outing. It was an extremely long and emotional day for me (and many others), but I'm grateful I was  apart of it. The Golf Outing is an awesome event where participants spend the afternoon golfing and the night at a wonderful dinner with fun entertainment and both a live and silent auction. I volunteered at the event and it felt good to know that I was a part of helping others who need help finding a "new normal" after such a tragic event in their lives. Both the foundation and golf outing are truly amazing ways to honor Lauri. I know she'd be proud. 

My brother, our family friend and I were in charge of running the popcorn cart donated to the event by Sunset Foods. Although this wasn't a glamorous volunteer job, a lot of behind the scenes work goes into the making of such an amazing and successful event and I was happy to be doing anything at all to assist. Being surrounded by my family and friends at the event made me realize how lucky I am to have such amazing and supportive people in my life. If you're reading this post take a quick minute to thank those in your life who are important to you because I've learned the hard way that life isn't a privilege, but a gift and we shouldn't take anything for granted!

My two pairs of parents

Halloween

Me & my two moms :)

Bauer-Margolin Family Vacations