Mother: Laurie (59)
Daughter: Sarah (25)
Port St. Lucie, Florida/Boca Raton, Florida
"Miracle Mom & Daughter"
Laurie and Robert had been struggling to conceive for 10 years. Laurie was born with Type 1 Diabetes and kidney issues so when she was finally pregnant, she was overjoyed but also terrified by the inherent health risks. Laurie suffered severe complications with her pregnancy and ended up living in the hospital for several months. As Laurie became sicker the doctors told the couple that the chance of survival for both mom and daughter was extremely low. Robert was forced to make an unimaginably difficult choice: abort the baby to save Laurie or to take a chance and induce labor three months premature, potentially putting both of their lives at risk. Laurie refused to give up her child and so risked her life to bring Sarah into the world. By the “Grace of God” Sarah was born healthy, and therefore Laurie will always consider Sarah to be her miracle daughter.
To this day mom and daughter don’t take a single moment for granted. They have an infectious joy for life. Road trips, doting on their dachshunds, collecting clocks, splurging on Christmas decorations year-round, snuggling/cuddle-parties, and sleep-overs; they live their lives together, on their own terms, unapologetically without a squandered moment… Although they don’t live together, Laurie has a room in and a key to Sarah’s home (much to the chagrin of her boyfriend, Miguel.) It’s not uncommon for Laurie to be hanging out on the couch when Miguel gets home, which drives him crazy. More often than not, Laurie’s husband Robert feels like a third wheel in his wife and daughter’s lives. He’s never included in their plans, whether it’s something as major as buying a condo or going on a road trip. He’s frustrated that he’s constantly left in the dark.
Although Laurie survived the difficult pregnancy her health issues have never completely subsided. Laurie has stage 5 kidney disease and as a result, her daughter has been her mother’s smothering, ever-present “nurse Sarah.” Monthly doctor’s appointments, making sure mom is drinking enough water, getting enough sleep; Sarah is obsessed with her mother’s wellbeing. So much so that she calls her in the middle of the night simply to make sure that she is okay. Even though Laurie is currently doing well health-wise, there’s always the very real possibility that she might need a kidney replacement. Sarah took the test and is a perfect “6 out of 6” match to be a kidney donor for her mother. Naturally, Sarah is more than happy to sacrifice her kidney to give her mom a happy and healthy life. In her perspective, “mom risked her life to bring me into this world, why wouldn’t I do the same?” Miguel is conflicted because he worries about the long-term consequences for Sarah living life with only one kidney. His ultimate fear is that their future children would grow up with an unhealthy mother, or even worse, without a mother at all.
Laurie feels that Sarah is sacrificing her life worrying about her. Instead, Sarah should be spending time with friends, investing in her relationship with Miguel and doing the things that an ordinary young person should be doing. In other word’s not obsessively worrying about her mother. Robert concedes that Sarah’s worrying is unhealthy and she needs to let him, the doctors and her mother take on the burden of her health issues. However, that’s not something that Sarah is going to do.
Sarah has been with her boyfriend Miguel for three years. The two have a home together, and are seemingly happy, although the topic of mom does create conflict. Oftentimes Sarah spends her free time with her mother as opposed to with him. Laurie will often stay the night, either in the guestroom or, more often than not, in bed with Sarah, which means Miguel gets the guestroom. Laurie is also notorious for showing up announced in their home.
Sarah, a romantic at heart, dreams of a lavish, picture-perfect wedding. Miguel believes that marriage is a "dated concept" and doesn’t feel he needs religion nor a piece of paper to define his relationship. Sarah told Miguel that the only way she would buy a house would be if Miguel could promise her that an engagement would be in their future. Sarah wants her mom to see her walk down the aisle while she’s still healthy enough to really enjoy it.
Not only do they not agree on marriage, but the couple doesn’t seem to have much in common. Miguel doesn’t like dachshunds, he doesn’t like going to concerts, and he’s not interested in spontaneous adventures. So, even though he is annoyed that his girlfriend spends so much time with her mom, he is constantly telling her to invite her to take her mom in his place. Laurie admits that she only occasionally feels as though he’s an ideal fit for her daughter. Mom needs a man who will love and care for her daughter when she no longer is able to do so. Is Miguel really that person?
Potential Storylines:
Lifesaver
Sarah accompanies mom to her doctor’s appointment every month, and although Laurie is seemingly healthy, every appointment offers the real possibility that it might be time that Laurie’s health is in critical condition and she would need her daughter’s life-saving kidney. How will this extremely humble and lifesaving procedure impact not only mom and daughter, but also Robert and Miguel?
The One
Although Sarah and Miguel bought a home together, and on the outside appear to be a happy couple, mom knows best and isn’t thoroughly convinced that Sarah is happy in the relationship and that the pair is really a perfect fit. Mom has noticed multiples incongruities in their relationship and plenty of dissimilarities. Are Sarah and Miguel really too different from one another? Are they in actuality not meant to be together, and will mom help her daughter consider this possibility?
60th Birthday
Laurie is turning 60 in January 2020 and Sarah is starting to think about plans for a big, blowout celebration. Sarah and Laurie's birthdays are just days apart, so they always do something fun to celebrate their birthdays together! Sarah's dream is to take her mom to Exuma in the Bahamas so she can swim with the pigs. Sarah wants to surprise her mom with an unforgettable experience.
Wedding Bells?
Though Miguel is not wanting to get married soon (or possibly at all!), Sarah is convinced that they will walk down the aisle one day. Sarah dreams of a big, lavish wedding and what her dream ring and dress will look like. If Laurie and Sarah could go shopping for an engagement ring and perhaps start leaving "clues" around the house, how will Miguel react to getting the "full-court press" from Sarah and Laurie?
Won’t You Be My Weiner Dog?
Sarah and Laurie really wants to get a dachshund puppy to live at Sarah’s home. Unfortunately, Miguel doesn't want to get a dog. Sarah thinks that maybe Miguel needs to see a dachshund puppy and spend some time with it and he might change his mind.
24/7
Sarah is so concerned with Laurie's health that she will panic if she can't reach her mom to make sure she is feeling okay. Most importantly, Sarah is always checking in with her mom to make sure she is drinking enough water. Sarah had the idea to install cameras at her mom's house so she can check in and see her mom whenever she wants to make sure she is taking care of herself. Bonus points if the system has a speaker attached so Sarah can talk to Laurie!
Mommy Makeover!
Sarah has a room at Laurie and Rob's house and she insists that the room be made to feel like her "childhood room". Now that Miguel and Sarah own a house together, Sarah wants her mom to have a place to stay in their house. Sarah wants to makeover one of their extra bedrooms to a room for Laurie to spend the night. Miguel is less than enthusiastic about the idea but when Sarah and Laurie are involved, he is always outnumbered.
Rituals:
Sleepovers - Sarah will always spend her day off from work with her mom. She will arrive at her mom's house the night before so they can have a sleepover/snuggle in the same bed and then they will spend the entire day together.
Constant Contact - Sarah has to be in constant contact with Laurie. If Sarah is unable to reach Laurie on the phone, she will immediately go into a panic. She will resort to calling Robert, the house phone, even her parent's neighbors because if she can't reach her mom, Sarah always assumes that something is terribly wrong.
Collectors- Whether it’s singing clocks, holiday décor or doggie costumes, this mom and daughter love to go all out on holiday “stuff.” Whether it’s St. Pat’s day, Christmas or Halloween, holidays are all MAJOR productions with this over-the-top mom and daughter.
Dachshunds - Laurie and Sarah are obsessed with dachshunds! They love to go out and find home decor that's dachshund related and they will buy it all! The duo is attending "Dach-tober", a festival of dachshund owners celebrating "Oktoberfest". Laurie and Sarah have costumes purchased for Ollie and Frida to be dressed up for the festivities!
Hydration - Sarah will hound her mother all day about her water intake. Laurie's health depends upon her staying hydrated and Sarah admits that she smothers her mother over her water intake.
Adventures – Whether impromptu road-trips, rap concerts or outings, Laurie and Sarah are notorious for embarking on spontaneous adventures.