Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for September 13, 2012

And was it Mary Lou? lol!

The place is packed, eh? I assume that’s the “close family and friends” that Mary Lou referred to. Were they all kept in the dark until today as well?

It doesn’t seem they ever went to buy the “dressy casual” outfits as Mary Lou directed. They also aren’t at the “packed” restaurant. Any bets on whether they’ll cast off before the wedding?

And now that everyone’s known for a while why hasn’t Meg reappeared? Janis would go to the wedding if Meg asked her, no matter HOW snubbed she feels.

Personally, I’d rather see Mary Lou show up at dockside, reaching out to her future family at a moment when she might be forgiven for thinking only of herself. Then Saturday’s strip could just be one big wedding portrait, with everyone there.

Think farther back, Arlo. It may be more than Ten Years Gone, but Janis definitely has that “Vixen in my Dreams” look in her eyes.

A&J are both smiling— everything is good!

No matter how snubbed Janis feels, she still knows deep down that this has all come about because of THEIR actions in taking Gene to the beach that day. She will take some comfort/happiness in knowing that they still had a hand in things (just didn’t know it at the time)

No way on Earth that Janis would miss the wedding!

I don’t think she feels snubbed….it’s simply hitting her now that her little boy is suddenly being married…she expected more time for it to sink in during a long run-up to their eventual wedding…but she loves Mary Lou and Meg, and she’s happy.We don’t see every moment of heir lives…Meg has probably been around…It probably didn’t occur to Jimmy to show her talking to Janis, cos it never occurred to him anyone would think Janis might leave..

But in those beach strips Gene isn’t more than eight…. I remember him even younger than that but I haven’t checked lately…making him 19 or 20-ish now….but he’s late graduating from college….making him well over 21….Ahhh… those elastic comic strip timelines….don’t expect strict adherence.

You guys aren’t getting it. Look at her eyes, she’s thinking of a little boy playing with a little girl and “something like that” is means the whoopie light is lit.

I was thinking the same thing about how old Gene is..when the “flashbacks” on him in kindergarten were running, I thought..wow..1985, he was in kindergarten, same time as my son..then thought..oops..my son is 32 now…not 22 and just graduating from college

“The place is packed”, is referring to the restaurant at dinner time. Not just people there for the wedding.BTW, I hope we all enjoy the "Best of A & J, soon to fill this space.

Thanks, Tony, for the link to the back story. But you really don’t know anything about brides and their feelings. Lighten up!

A&J is almost real-time when it comes to characters’ aging. They seem to age about 2 cartoon years every three calendar years. By comparison, Nancy and Sluggo should be going on 100.

I am a relatively ‘new’ follower and had not seen the early meeting of G and ML. how well ML’s being is laid out in those few simple panels. an uncertain, insecure but determined young girl, concerned with appearance and lookin’ for love in too many places. the lessons of maturity have been hard won ; and Gene I think has more gumpsion than he seems sometimes- knowing which battles are worth fighting with the young lady. lovely to see that meeting of soulmates who must have recognized their destined connection and held it deep in their hearts through the years- some romantic I am.

Say it ain’t so! I went back and started at the begining to try to find one I recall seeing in the paper many many years ago…. and the meeting ML one was several years in. I just hope I can get caught up in my spare time (yeah right!) before it’s erased… :(

Try this cite:http://arloandjanis.com/Mary%20Lou%202.htm

Phhttppp to Tony for point out that “the meeting” was nearly 20 years ago! Sheesh how time flies! lol

Meant to be! Love it when a strip reaches back. Like For Better or For Worse when Michael married Deanna.

If she’s anything like my wife (and me), Janis is remembering fondly her own wedding.

Gocomicsmember – That’s what I was thinking, too. The wedding and the first honeymoon. Let the second honeymoon begin!ScullyUFO – Yes! J.J. can make just one or two deft pen strokes say soo much!

♫♪♫♪Hello MaryLou, good-bye heart.Oh MaryLou, I’m so in love with you!♫♪♫♪

It is a nice strip! Is it going to close out with Gene’s wedding? I hope not, and I don’t get that impression just yet. Still…

Janis asked “Who is playing and what is the spread”.