My Parents Were Awesome

A new website is looking for photos of your parents from their "Mad Men" days--when they were young, beautiful, and having the time of their lives. The website celebrates the days "before the fanny packs" when parents "were once free-wheeling, fashion-forward, and super awesome."

The photos on http://myparentswereawesome.tumblr.com/ are mainly from the 1950s to 1970s. A journey through the site confirms--yet again--that people were simply more glamorous pre-1970. The fashions of the 1970s, combined with drinking, were not a good mix. But see how the elegant mid-1960s lady pictured below deftly manages her cigarette, cocktail, AND bridal veil.

The first names of the subjects in the photos are given, but no other information is provided. We are left to imagine the stories behind them. There's "Dan," a young man from the 1950's, sitting astride his motorcycle. I think he's just gotten his diploma and he is done with his small town. "Magali," a beautiful blonde with Britt Ekland bangs and a confident smile, poses in front of a plane. She's a future Pan Am stewardess who one day just might marry that millionaire.

In the picture to the left, "Renato" holds "Isabel" in his arms and kisses her on a rooftop. I imagine they are backpacking through Europe and have stopped in Italy. They are young and just starting out. They are poor, but very, very happy.

White lace and promises. A kiss for luck and we're on our way...

As my husband looked through the photos he was charmed by them, but a little wistful. "It's such a brief time when we are young," he said.