I wrote this article several years ago when my daughters went to college. As a new school year approaches, I felt the need to share it again. I hope that many of you will discuss Lauren’s story with your children. We can create change together.
Ever since my daughters were young, I have inundated them with broadcasts about the perils of life. Since they could walk and talk, I professed the danger of strangers, and ensured that they look both ways before crossing the street.
I followed suit later with bigger rules. Don’t drink or text and drive. Don’t go to the bathroom alone at a concert and never get in a car with someone you don’t know. I felt like I was fulfilling my mom duties. When I met Mary Dunne, however, I realized that I was merely scratching the surface.
I attended an event hosted by The Second Step, an organization near Boston that focuses on helping victims of domestic violence rebuild their lives. Mary Dunne was the guest speaker. Mary became reluctantly famous on July 3, 2011, when her 18-year-old daughter Lauren Astley was murdered by her ex-boyfriend.
Mary Dunne has glistening blue eyes and a soft-spoken demeanor. I had the opportunity to visit with her before the presentation. We talked like mothers do. I told her of the girls’ journey to college and asked about her work as a teacher. I felt nervous and unsure of what to say, but Mary made it easy. I liked her instantly. Even in the pothole of life called grief, she found a way to show me compassion.
The lights dimmed and Lauren’s mesmerizing smile jumped off the screen. For the next few minutes, her last year of life unfolded. There were photos at the beach and of sun-dressed summer nights, of Lauren hugging her parents at graduation, and others of her belly laughing with friends. As Lauren sang “Breathless” in the background, the audience shivered. Each of us brushed back tears. We were all thinking the same thing. She could have been our daughter.
Lauren’s three-year relationship had ups and downs like any other youthful union. After a rocky few months tinged with fighting and weeping, Lauren broke up with her boyfriend for good during the spring of senior year. By the summer, Lauren was happy and healthy, working at the local mall and preparing for college. Her ex-boyfriend wasn’t doing as well. She agreed to see him and did so without letting anyone know. Several hours later she was missing.
A woman’s desire to fix things — from a friend’s problems to a loved one’s bad day — is almost instinctual. We’ll never know what Lauren was thinking but we can guess. Someone she had once loved deeply was hurting and she wanted to patch up his wound. Her ex-boyfriend had become aggressive, detached. Her family and friends wanted her to move on, not see him anymore. But I imagine it wasn’t in her nature to turn her back on anyone. Mary spoke about her anger at Lauren for going to visit her boyfriend alone. And how that anger can keep her awake most nights.
I paid little attention to what happened to Lauren Astley on July 3, 2011. Initially, I was shocked that a teen boy could murder his ex-girlfriend. However, with no connection to the family, the story seemed to fade into the background of my summer. Looking back now, I was a fool. Teaching my daughters about dating violence should always be a priority.
That night, I came home and Googled Lauren Astley. I watched the 48 Hours special that featured Lauren’s life, the details of the murder and the subsequent trial of her ex-boyfriend. I heard friends speak about her kindness and loyalty as I watched the courtroom drama unfold. I was mesmerized by Mary’s composure during interviews and devastated as she became unhinged during the throes of the trial.
One in three young girls experiences some form of abuse in a dating relationship. That means between my two best friends and me, one of us could possibly have a situation on our hands. Things have to change.
We have to tell our children the story of Lauren Astley. We need to explain to our daughters that a boyfriend who cuts her off from friends and family is not a good man. We have to make our children understand that punching a wall or name-calling can lead to violence. It is never OK to go alone to visit a depressed or aggressive ex. Parental advice can save lives. Mary Dunne wants all to heed her warning.
On the way home, “Harden My Heart” came on the radio. In the song by Quarterflash, a girl gets the strength and courage to leave her man. She tells him that his words are lies. Let’s teach our children about teen dating and break-up violence. Let’s tell them it is not OK to be treated badly by anyone. If our children’s hearts have to harden to keep them safe, I’m all for swallowing those tears.
Mimi L. Golub is the Co-Founder and Co-Editor of Living the Second Act, an online magazine for women in their 40s and 50s who are seeking the truth. Mimi has written for numerous publications including The Huffington Post. She is the author of the someday-to-be-published novel, Boxed In. Mimi is also the writer and a staff editor of From Our Kitchens, a nonprofit cookbook that was released in 2018. In her spare time, Mimi loves to workout, drink tequila, and volunteer with many local causes. She lives in Newton, MA, with her husband and has twin girls who have left the nest. You can find her former work on: tequilainbed.com
Follow Mimi on Twitter @mimigolub
