Elle Effect Photography

Yes, the most horrible lesson ever.

I wasn’t going to blog about this, but it seems I was completely unaware of this ever happening to me - so I thought I should share.

Brittany and I were doing some Christmas shopping tonight downtown at the mall. It’s only about 8 o’clock when we leave. We’re walking back to the car in the metered parking garage. This big man is walking in, no one else is around. We had our hands full of the best deals we have ever gotten. Ever. This man makes massive eye contact with me and steps very close to me putting out his hand slyly and says, “Hi” - I moved around his hand and said, “No thank you.” I walked faster. I didn’t know he did the same thing to Brittany, but without saying hi. He immediately turned around and started walking very fast. I still didn’t know this - because Britt was a step behind me. All the sudden, I hear Brittany say my name loudly, then screamed it and bolted running past my left shoulder. I immediately started to run and this man was at a dead run behind us.

Brittany was screaming my name but didn’t look back. I was screaming at her to keep running… try and get back inside. He was about a foot behind me… yes, just a foot. He was grabbing at my bags and they were hitting me as he was grabbing for them. I have never run so fast in my entire life. He yelled all these crazy things to confuse and distract us - “I’m gonna call the police on you! Stop!” - just, very odd.

We were chased for about two minutes… the longest two minutes of my life. We finally came out of the alley we were in and ran along the sidewalk toward another mall entrance. We fell into the doors and made it inside JcPenney… where we ran around the corner in the lingere section and fell. He, amazingly, didn’t follow us in. I have no idea how we out ran that man. He was huge - at least 6′5. Some JcPenney employees helped us a bit - got us some water, called the cops and mall security (because we had to give a full description of what happened).

Funny who comes to your mind and what comes to your mind when something like this happens. When I was running around the corner of that alley, face after face came to my mind… in actually a particular order at first (family), and then it all became a blur. What do I really care about? Who do I really, truly care about and love? Some of the faces shocked me, honestly. I’m calling them tomorrow. All of them.

This was the most insane thing that has ever happened to me.. I’m still pretty shaken from it, and I’m sure I won’t be in a huge public place for a little while. Andrew and my Dad came and got us…  it was more than good to see them. They held us for awhile.

So, the moral of the story is… if you love someone and haven’t told them, tell them. If you have told them, express it overly, overly, overly. I found out when I got home that a girl near our ages had been taken earlier this week downtown in a similar way… I was in shock sitting in the car with my Dad in the driveway - because I couldn’t believe that I was actually okay. I couldn’t believe it. I really thought it was over. No more Law & Order for me for a bit : ) Too realistic : P

Also, this Christmas hasn’t been one around material things from the beginning - but now, even more so. My family writes letters to each other and passes them out on Christmas. We listen to each and every one being read out loud… and it’s the best thing in the world. Nothing beats it. There are a few gifts given, of course, but it’s not our main focus. This is pretty much the first real time I’ve gone out Christmas shopping (and what an experience!).

And it looks like I might be moving in with my G-Mom (my Mom’s mom) soon. She lives about 10 minutes from where I currently live. She just needs someone to help her along with things. It’s getting a bit harder to live on her own and keep up with everything - and immediately, I want to be right by her side however long she needs. Even though I’ll be gone in January for awhile (almost 3 weeks on that trip) - I may move soon. At least move all the priorities over there… even if I sleep at home some nights or stay there some nights. I love, love, love that dear woman. She means more to me than she’ll ever know… but I sure would like to try and let her know how much. Beginning now.

Anyway, that’s me tonight. A little shaken, a lot more realization, tea-drinker, curled up for the next few days… I know without a doubt that God is with me. I know it now more than ever. I felt that man behind my back… and God was right next to me, protecting. Incredible.

And oh, I love you.
-lauren