It’s safe to say Mississippi State University football coach Dan Mullen is not a paraskevidekatriaphobic — someone afraid of Friday the 13th. His attitude on the day has been heavily influenced by two compelling factors: Canon and Breelyn Mullen.
Both of Mullen’s children were born at the Oktibbeha County Hospital on a Friday the 13th, with the most recent addition to the family, Breelyn, coming in April of this year.
Today marks the third Friday of this calendar year to fall on the 13th day of the month. This usually only happens twice a year, and in 2011 it only occurred once. In the time between the birth of Canon, in February 2009 and Breelyn earlier this year, there have been only seven Friday the 13th’s.
Despite the overwhelming odds of his family’s situation, Mullen says he doesn’t believe in superstition or luck, but that on Friday, April 13th this year, he had a feeling something was going to happen.
Later that day, Dan’s wife, Megan went to an appointment with Dr. Jan Furniss, who informed her that she was in labor.
“I thought it was a joke, that maybe Dan had called and told her to say that, but it was no joke,” she said.
Megan calmly drove to OCH, walked in with only her purse and five hours later, Breelyn Elisabeth Mullen was born.
Dan jokingly said he is thankful for the consistency the birthdays present and for the ease it will provide in remembering them.
“That’s why I got married on July 4,” he said with a laugh.
Though the Mullens might not be superstitious, Megan seems to certainly trust fate.
“I think it’s the coolest thing ever,” she said “It just tells me everything happens for a reason, and it was meant to be… I walked into OCH smiling and I walked out smiling. Life is great and we’re having a blast.”
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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