45 isn’t middle age anymore as people are now reaching 85-90s. Harrison Ford is 82 and still making movies. Clint Eastwood is 94. Today middle age is more 50-55
Today (not when this strip was written) a 45 year old can expect to live to age 79, with a 24% chance of reaching 90. The middle of 90 is 45. The middle of 79 is 38. Even if you say age doesn’t start until adulthood, they’re well into middle age. Been there; done that.
I remember a Happy Days episode when Marion was upset that a couple they knew divorced and he married a younger woman. She got all insecure that Howard was gonna dump her for a younger woman because she was middle-aged. His response “Well of course you’re middle-aged. And so am I. And my plan was always that we would grow old together.” The episode also the one where she dressed up as a belly dancer because Fonzie told her if she was worried they were in a rut, maybe she could try doing something different.
From Lynn’s Comments: I once gave each of the girls who worked for me the gift of a professional glamour portrait. I told them that someday they’d look at these photographs and be glad they had them. It’s 20 years since I did this. I hope they look at those portraits from time to time and see how lovely they were.
When we moved to current house, I let my husband place pictures where he wanted, he retired from 36 years of work, me I was working PT I never got a full time job, well he did, I do not think my husband does like John did, current picture to past pictures, I do and notice difference. Our engagement picture 43 years ago to now. I was much slimmer back then.
That’s a really good idea! I’m trying to get a portrait session scheduled for my daughter’s senior photos; maybe hubby and I should get a portrait too. :-)
I like that idea! I’m 66, and have a portrait of me when I was forty, with my daughter, who was seven and our GSD hanging next to my computer where I can look at my beautiful young self whenever I want! haha
Yeah, this whole age storyline seems dated to me, give people credit OK, the world has changed. Right now a lot of those helicopter Mommy & Daddy Baby Boomers are having kids John & Elys age moving home with them !
When my brothers, cousins, and I were getting into our mid-30s, my Uncle Nick (r.i.p.) would say “Even the kids are getting up there.” He was righter than he knew!
Coopersdad 22 days ago
Good move, John!
9thCapricorn 22 days ago
45 isn’t middle age anymore as people are now reaching 85-90s. Harrison Ford is 82 and still making movies. Clint Eastwood is 94. Today middle age is more 50-55
Argythree 22 days ago
John knew the right thing to say…
GeorgeInAZ 22 days ago
Today (not when this strip was written) a 45 year old can expect to live to age 79, with a 24% chance of reaching 90. The middle of 90 is 45. The middle of 79 is 38. Even if you say age doesn’t start until adulthood, they’re well into middle age. Been there; done that.
Asharah 22 days ago
I remember a Happy Days episode when Marion was upset that a couple they knew divorced and he married a younger woman. She got all insecure that Howard was gonna dump her for a younger woman because she was middle-aged. His response “Well of course you’re middle-aged. And so am I. And my plan was always that we would grow old together.” The episode also the one where she dressed up as a belly dancer because Fonzie told her if she was worried they were in a rut, maybe she could try doing something different.
BJDucer 22 days ago
Smooth move, John. That nearly brought a smile to Elly’s face!
snsurone76 22 days ago
John, do you honestly think you can live with her for 20 more years??
Gizmo Cat 22 days ago
From Lynn’s Comments: I once gave each of the girls who worked for me the gift of a professional glamour portrait. I told them that someday they’d look at these photographs and be glad they had them. It’s 20 years since I did this. I hope they look at those portraits from time to time and see how lovely they were.
gozirra2 Premium Member 21 days ago
Well, they better get started ‘spiffing up’! It takes much longer to ‘spiff up’ as one grows in age.
walt1968pat Premium Member 21 days ago
45? 46? Just young whippersnappers.
Twelve Badgers in a Suit Premium Member 21 days ago
Sometimes he does say the right thing.
KageKat 21 days ago
John Patterson, you softie!
John Leonard Premium Member 21 days ago
Oh dear, our older two boys are 45. You know what that makes us – geezers!
baskate_2000 21 days ago
Finally got it right, Jon!
judy 21 days ago
That is the truth!
kab2rb 21 days ago
When we moved to current house, I let my husband place pictures where he wanted, he retired from 36 years of work, me I was working PT I never got a full time job, well he did, I do not think my husband does like John did, current picture to past pictures, I do and notice difference. Our engagement picture 43 years ago to now. I was much slimmer back then.
'IndyMan' 21 days ago
Just hope Elle does something with her ‘frumpy’ hairdo ! ! ! !
rshive 21 days ago
As good a milestone as any, John.
bittenbyknittin 21 days ago
I have a photo of my SO and me from about 20 years ago on a bookshelf. Not only do we look younger, we look thinner too.
Watchdog 21 days ago
We have a similar photo at marriage ages 20 and 18. Hilarious now.
rebelstrike0 21 days ago
Elly is thinking to herself “If only the portrait were to get older but I stay the same!”
Bob Blumenfeld 21 days ago
There’s an aphorism that goes, “Old age is halfway between your age and one hundred.”
And as a rule of thumb, that works pretty well.
calliarcale 21 days ago
That’s a really good idea! I’m trying to get a portrait session scheduled for my daughter’s senior photos; maybe hubby and I should get a portrait too. :-)
DawnQuinn1 21 days ago
John is a man still in love with a beautiful woman. Age is a number, nothing more.
Jingles 21 days ago
boy, ain’t that the truth.
stevie44 21 days ago
Do adults still have portraits taken?
JudithStocker Premium Member 21 days ago
Also, laugh at the silly memories that you both had that were just silly mistakes.
markkahler52 21 days ago
42…the answer to Life and Middle Age is always….42….
John Jorgensen 21 days ago
Actually I’m thinking that in twenty years they’ll be 36 and 37. At least that’s how it worked the first time around.
Daltongang Premium Member 21 days ago
Photographs and memories
Christmas cards you sent to me
All that I have are these
To remember you
Memories that come at night
Take me to another time
Back to a happier day
When I called you mine
But we sure had a good time
When we started way back when
Morning walks and bedroom talks
Oh how I loved you then
Summer skies and lullabies
Nights we couldn’t say good-bye
And of all of the things that we knew
Not a dream survived
Photographs and memories
All the love you gave to me
Somehow it just can’t be true
That’s all I’ve left of you
But we sure had a good time
When we started way back when
Morning walks and bedroom talks
Oh how I loved you then
lisaegray 21 days ago
I like that idea! I’m 66, and have a portrait of me when I was forty, with my daughter, who was seven and our GSD hanging next to my computer where I can look at my beautiful young self whenever I want! haha
kathleenhicks62 21 days ago
Don’t wait until you are 77!
braindead Premium Member 21 days ago
Yup, these are the good old days.
thedogesl Premium Member 21 days ago
My wife and I are in our mid 70s. We look back on pics from 30 years ago and think exactly what John and Ellie are thinking.
lnrokr55 21 days ago
Yeah, this whole age storyline seems dated to me, give people credit OK, the world has changed. Right now a lot of those helicopter Mommy & Daddy Baby Boomers are having kids John & Elys age moving home with them !
sjsczurek 21 days ago
When my brothers, cousins, and I were getting into our mid-30s, my Uncle Nick (r.i.p.) would say “Even the kids are getting up there.” He was righter than he knew!
Curiosity Premium Member 21 days ago
He is absolutely right!
GG_loves_comics Premium Member 21 days ago
We had portraits made in 20+ years ago, and they’re still in the envelope. When we got them, I saw a fat woman and he saw an old man!
CultofFarley 21 days ago
Ooga Farley!
Booga Farley!
Googa Farley!
Wooga Farley!
Strawberry King 21 days ago
There ya go! You said what she needs to hear!
lindz.coop Premium Member 21 days ago
Yup.
Brent Rosenthal Premium Member 21 days ago
Oh to be 45 again
[Unnamed Reader - 14b4ce] 20 days ago
As long as his hANDS DON’T SHAKE WHILE HE’S WORKING ON SOMEBODY’S TEETH….