My Humble Beginning
Hello! My name is Lauryn Spevak. Lately life has been hitting me in the face with the idea to write an autobiography. So, naturally, I can’t stop that thought going through my head.. and that puts me right here, sitting at my computer writing out my entire life and life lessons I have learned. I am choosing to do this because I feel like you, the reader could learn something and apply it to your life or just learn some things about why I am the person I am. I am also using this as a form of therapy. Writing down all of my memories from childhood, until now is me releasing past feelings and reliving some cherished memories. You are practically reading my personal journal. I hope you enjoy!
Let’s start with a little introduction of myself. I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on September 6th, 1996 to two amazing human beings I call my parents. My parents had a very hard time getting pregnant, it took them about 2 years to get pregnant with me. They were convinced I was a baby boy, but boy oh boy were they surprised when I popped out of the womb! They had a hard time thinking of a name, because I was obviously a girl. My mom told me that she got in her wheelchair after I was born, had my dad wheel her down to the rose garden outside of the hospital to think of a name. The names Sidney and Aspen came up.. but those just were not the names. Lauryn.. Lauryn was the name, with a ‘Y’ of course.. have to be unique!
After I was named, and cleaned up every family member and friend started to show up.. and I mean EVERY family member and friend showed up. I was my parents first child, so you can only imagine how excited everyone was to finally meet me. From the very beginning of my life, there was so much love and acceptance surrounding me.
My parents along with my Grandpa Jensen built a brand new beautiful house in Bluffdale, Utah before I was born. They had just moved in a few weeks prior to my birth. I was brought home from the hospital just two days after I was born, to my childhood home where I would spend the first 8 years of my life. My Grandpa and Grandma Jensen were up in Manila, Utah the day I was born, my grandpa caught a fish that exact day and brought it to my house the day I got home from the hospital to show it off. I thought that was pretty cool considering it was a massive fish, and little ole Lauryn was born.
From what I can remember and from the help of VHS video tapes my childhood was a happy one. Yes, I had my moments being a baby girl but my parents were pleased with how well I slept and ate. I was allergic to regular whole milk, breast milk, and formula. So, my mom had to feed me soy milk. When I could start to eat more solid food and grow out of my allergies to milk, my go to meal was SpaghettiO’s and a cup of whole milk!
Both of my parents were working at the time of my birth, my dad stayed home for a few weeks and took care of us, and then went back to work. My mom worked at a health center for a few months after my birth, so my grandma babysat me every week day except for Tuesday’s. Tuesday was my Aunt Neener’s day to watch me. After working and being away from me for way too long, my mom just couldn’t handle it anymore and decided to be a stay at home mom.
I remember my parents being so in love. They were always so happy from what I saw and experienced. They threw my 1st birthday party for me as an only child, every family member and friend showed up to celebrate. The videos from that amazing birthday always make me smile. The simple fact that my parents finally had a baby increased the joy, laughter, and love.. it was unmatched. My mom baked my birthday cake from scratch and continued to do so as I grew up, she was always so creative. I was lucky enough to be surrounded by my family from Southern Utah, as well as family from Northern Utah for every birthday or event that was held.
My mom was pregnant not even 2 years after I was born with my baby brother Parker, he was born in May of 1998. At first I wasn’t too sure what to think about him. I was confused where he came from and who he even was. Yes, my mom and dad told me prior that I was going to have another sibling, but I was 1 and a half at the time I had no clue. Once I realized what was happening..I had a real life baby doll to take care of and nurture as an older sister. When Parker was brought home from the hospital, I made sure his swing didn’t stop swinging, always helped feed him, made him laugh, cuddled him, and took care of him the best I could. I believe this is when my nurturing/bossy characteristic came into play. I was so blessed to have a baby brother!
In April of 2000 my second baby bother Ashby was born. This one was a little tough for me.. I was really hoping for a baby sister. At this time I was almost 4 years old. I cried when I found out it was a boy, but as I got to know him..I realized that I had another real life baby doll to take care of and all was well. Ashby had this contagious laugh and the chubbiest cheeks, I quickly fell in love with him.
Our childhood was the most ideal one you could probably ask for. Our family consisted of two parents who loved each other and three obedient, obnoxious kids. We had the “white picket fence” family, with a big house in a suburban neighborhood, swing set in the backyard, huge garden, a dad who had a full time job, a mom who stayed at home and taught piano lessons on the side, went to church every Sunday, food on the table every meal, and of course always surrounded by friends and family.
I’d like to share a few childhood memories that stick out to me. After having me and my brother Parker my mom decided to teach piano lessons again as a little side hustle. She started teaching back in 1994 in Cedar City, Utah but took a break for a little bit to pursue a new career, and start a family.
While she was teaching piano lessons when I was about 3 years old, she would have to distract me to keep me entertained. I would be put on a stool in our dark kitchen a given either frozen strawberries or pistachios in the shell, my mom was a smart cookie! It took me FOREVER to eat either of those snacks. Of course, she could still see me from her chair by the piano and I could see her but that definitely took me hours to eat. Most times I would fall asleep at the counter. My brother Parker was always down for a nap, or in a bouncer next to her, so she didn’t have to worry about him as much as me.
My mom was such an amazing piano player and teacher, she was so patient and knew exactly what she was doing. Almost the entire neighborhood was taking lessons from her. The clanking of the piano keys will forever be in my head. Later on when my brothers and I were old enough she started to teach us piano, that was all fine and dandy until we didn’t want to listen to our mom anymore. So she sent us off to our neighbors so that she could teach us, and my mom knew we would listen to her.
My mom also made each one of her kids a giant scrapbook or two. She was always so good at capturing every moment with the camera. The pictures were printed out and she put them all in a story line so we could look back on them when we were older. I can only imagine how much work that was for her. I’m forever grateful for her doing that, so many amazing memories captured in one book. Now a days, I don’t think kids know what a scrapbook is.. it’s all digital. I know that I’ll have my scrapbooks forever because they’re actually tangible.
My dad worked at the Delta Center in downtown Salt Lake City when I was born. He was first working in the ticket office, and made his advances from there to marketing director, and then to director of VIP services. The Delta Center was and still is the home of The Utah Jazz! And yes, even though the name has changed a million times since then.. it’ll always be the Delta Center to me. My first Jazz game was when I was a few weeks old, my mom would put huge headphones on my ears to block out the loud cheering. You could say from that point on I was obsessed with basketball and of course the Jazz. I remember going to almost every Utah Jazz game growing up, my dad had season tickets that we got to enjoy. When I was old enough, he would treat us with front row tickets, which was unbelievably cool! He was also working suite level during the majority of his career. We got to sit in suites most games, get free ice cream, yummy cookies, and just live the dream! To this day I could easily fall asleep either in a loud arena or watching basketball on the TV, there’s just something soothing about that loud atmosphere.
My family was also fortunate enough to go to almost every concert held at the arena and we were able to meet some pretty high-end celebrities. There’s pictures of me with many celebrities that I don’t even remember, but damn.. how cool!
The circus was also a family favorite. My dad was able to get all of us in a clown car type thing, and we would circle the circus ring during the show. We met clowns, dressed up as clowns, and had an absolute blast! I remember always being so amazed at the acrobatics, and the tricks all the animals were able to do. My dad was very well known around the area for 20+ years, he made so many lifelong friends and created some amazing memories for him and our family.
My dad also worked at Thanksgiving Point which is a place where events are held year round. My family got to participate in every holiday event, concert, visit the petting zoo farm, and even be on the local news a few times. My dad had all the hook ups, which made that part of my childhood pretty memorable!
Family dinners have always so special to me, and I think it’s because my parents made it a priority to always eat together each night. There’s just something about sitting around the table, catching up, talking about our day, laughing, joking, and enjoying some really good food together.
Most nights after dinner was all cleaned up, we would crank the stereo that was probably as big as a giant tool box, and turn on some Garth Brooks. Garth Brooks will forever be one of my favorite music artists. I met him when I was 3 years old. My mom, dad, and I sat in on his sound check with Trisha Yearwood, Garth even got off stage and gave me headphones to wear to protect my ears. My dad got to be apart of his show in Salt Lake City, during his song “Friends in Low Places”. If I was ever asked who the most genuine music artist was, my answer would be Garth Brooks. Anyways, we would dance in the kitchen to his music whenever we had the chance to. My dad was and still is the ultimate dancing buddy, we would sing at the top of our lungs, I definitely fell over a few times, but we just enjoyed each others company as my mom recorded every dance party on the video camera. That memory makes me smile.. so carefree.. so happy.. just me, my brothers, my mom, and dad.
My brothers and I were babysat by neighborhood girls, our grandparents, Aunt Neener, or other family members. Some of my fondest memories are in my Aunt Neener’s house. I absolutely loved going to her house, but had the biggest fear of her boxer dogs. We would watch Crocodile Hunter and eat Chef Boyardee raviolis almost every time she watched us. Of course she did make the best homemade meals I’ve ever had. She was the best cook, and I always looked forward to whatever she decided to make!
She loved to play the piano for us, we would dance in her front room and sing our little hearts out. If we were lucky, we were allowed down into the basement where she kept an old tv with Play Station hooked up. Her grandkids would come over and we would all play Super Mario together.
At night time if my parents weren’t back to pick us up, my aunt would turn on Scooby Doo in her living room. There were many times where I would fall asleep in her arms. Man, I miss those days so much. The constant laughter and love that filled her home brought me so much joy.
My grandparents house will forever be in my mind, that house was just something else. I knew as a little girl if we were on a dirt road, we were going to grandma and grandpa’s house! I had a hard time saying their last name which is Jensen, so I took the liberty and changed their last name to “House” because their house was just that huge! To this day, I still call them Grandma and Grandpa House. They had a barn fully stocked with animals, full sized pool with diving boards, and all the toys you can imagine in the basement. My brothers and I had the best time, sometimes if we were lucky we would find little mice crawling around.. maybe I should say unlucky, haha!
My grandma was the kindest lady you’d ever meet, she was a master with the sewing machine. I still have my baby blanket that she crocheted for me. Grandma was the ultimate caretaker and made sure my brothers and I felt loved at every second of every day.
I blame my grandpa for my addiction to the tv show “Cops”. He would watch that show religiously, and plop little 3 year old Lauryn on his lap every time it came on. My grandpa built houses, and poured concrete before I was born. He is still pouring concrete, building furniture, and being the handy man he’s always been to this day. If you know my Grandpa Jensen you know how loud and obnoxious he can be, that’s what makes him so memorable. Their house was filled with love, happiness, joy, and THE best treats any kid could ask for.
My Spevak cousins were always a blast to be around. My Grandma and Grandpa Spevak lived in Cedar City, Utah. Whenever we made the 3 hour drive down to visit them, there was never a dull moment. My cousins and I would play in the backyard every chance we got. We would play restaurant in the shed, with a drive through and all. Small concerts were held on the back porch for our family to enjoy, we would lip sync and dance to The Backstreet Boys, N’Sync, Britney Spears, The Spice Girls, Garth Brooks, and more.
When we slept over at their house grandma would make a bed for us on her basement floor, we would make sure we were in bed just in time for the Disney Channel movie to start. She would set a sleep timer for us, and we had to be asleep by the time the tv turned off. Back then there were no iPads, iPhones, Netflix, or Hulu. So we had to use our imaginations to have fun, those were the times I wish kids now got to experience.
I also took the liberty at a young age to change my Grandma and Grandpa Spevak’s last name, since I couldn’t even say my own last name. I changed it to “Cedar”, since that’s where they lived and still live. And yes, I still call them Grandma and Grandpa Cedar to this day.
My grandma was a lunch lady at a local elementary school for years, she has always been an unbelievable cook. If you haven’t had her homemade rolls, you’re missing out! She is also a master with the sewing machine, she has made so many quilts I don’t think she even knows what to do with them. What a brave, creative, kind, loving woman she is.
My grandpa was a truck driver for many years, he drove for “Yellow”. He has always been so hard working and provided for his family. He’s now retired and is a wood turner. He creates the most beautiful wood pieces I have ever seen. I think I get some of my eye for detail from him.
To say the least, my childhood was magical, humble, filled with love, and I am so thankful for all the memories I have. Family is the most important thing to me. Thank you to my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins for always being the support system I’ve always dreamed of.
I can’t emphasize enough how amazing my parents were and still are. I don’t think I have ever met more caring, loving, supportive, hard working people in my life. Since I was a little girl up until now they have always been there, with unconditional love. They made my childhood a time in my life I can always look back on to get that warm fuzzy feeling back in my heart. I love you mom and dad, thank you.
