Ronald and Karen Cain have 5 daughters. I think it's safe to say that an inordinate amount of time was spent on "appearance enhancement" at 37 Meadow Glen. I also think it's safe to say that each of the Cain daughters partook in her fair share of vanity. All except for Lauren aka, Keepooter.

Lauren had a style that might be called "comfortably casual". T's ,sneaks, sweats and gray, zip-up "McGreggors" sweatshirt we dubbed Old Faithful. Old Faithful was just like Mr. Rogers sweaters. Every day when Lauren got home from school ,if it wasn't part of that day's ensemble, she would zip into O.F.

Middle School came and went. O.F. accompanied Lauren to her first years of High School (it was an adult sized shirt) as did the t's and sneaks. I never remember Lauren being late for seminary or school due to make-up or hair issues as she didn't wear make-up and wore her hair pretty much the same way every day.

I want to clarify that I did in fact admire Lauren's self confidence and lack of self obsession that tends to dominate many teenage lives. Lauren wasn't out to impress with designer clothes or the selfish, spoiled brat attitude that demands royalty treatment. I was however, wondering if she might ever graduate to a more sophisticated look for the college years. And what was going to happen when O.F.? It was looking, tired, worn and even a bit thread bare.

Then the summer before Lauren started Senior year she surprised me by saying "yes" to some clothes shopping. We went to real Mall stores like Limited, Gap and Learner. She tried on skirts, pants, and tops. She tried different colors and styles. And before my eyes, in almost an instant, Lauren went from "comfortably casual" kid sister to stylish and very pretty girl. And unlike most people, Lauren embraced the change with maturity and moderation. She didn't go hog wild with make up and clothes.

I don't know what ever happened to O.F. I like to think maybe a quiet burial in the yard. I would like to take credit for Lauren's change however I know too well that she would have done it on her own, in her own time and just as well. Happy Birthday! Amber