I wrote a tribute to Lauren last month when she unexpectedly went home with Typhoid, so I am going to re-post here. Still love her to pieces!

Lauren and I became fast friends and were notorious for our little
adventures. We have weathered homesickness, brokenness and everything
in between together. I have truly laughed more with her than anyone
else on the Race. We always managed to find the unusual everywhere we
went and get ourselves into the most random of situations. From
learning how to fight demons from a magical Pastor, Santa Claus in the
malls of Hong Kong, buying pearls in China, riding elephants in
Thailand, eating a LOT of ice cream in Africa and krispy kreme with
Starbucks in Hong Kong, we have truly traveled the World together and I
can’t think of a better person to do it with.

Lauren was always
my biggest champion and I could always count on her when the chips
where down. She knew the “look” that meant we needed to walk, talk and
cry and she knew when to make me laugh. I love her like a sister and
can’t wait to hug her neck again.

Lala, Thanks for the fun. This year would not have been the same without you and I am so glad we rode this crazy ride together. Thanks for being random with me and loving me through it all. See you soon!

Mucho love! Big Poppa