Before they were grandparents, they were old pals.
Just some good old boys hanging out on the farm. My dad’s always been very proud of this photo. I used to wonder why, but after years of looking at it, I realize that because of this group of men, our family was able to survive as a farming family. The history of labour in this photo is beautiful.
-Allan Y.
Before they were grandparents, they were teeing off.
When I think of the men in my family, I instantly think of golf. They all loved it - from my great-grandfather down to my brother. Occasionally I’d join them, but I didn’t hold the same passion (or fascination) for the game as they did. But I have to say, when I found this photo, I felt a flutter in my heart.
-Emily W.
Before she was a Grandmother, she was one of the gals.
This is a photo from the early 1960’s of my Gram (Top Right), her mother (Center Right), her best friend (Bottom Left), and just a few of her sisters. I’ve been told that this was supposed to be a serious picture, until someone laughed, which set off a chain reaction. Out of 21 brothers and sisters, there are only 5 who are still living. She was all about family. Family matters, and family comes first. My Gram will forever be my favourite person, and my favourite Skip-Bo opponent. Love you, Gram.
(submitted by dawnndarling)
Before they were grandparents, they were carving up the ice.
It takes grace, elegance, and a real competitive spirit to want to figure skate - and my grandmother had all of that in spades. She was the youngest of 4 and only had brothers, so she knew how to roughhouse. But before her teens she discovered figure skating and the result is this amazing photo. Whenever I skate in the winter, I think of how much she loved it.
-Alex H.
Before they were grandparents, they were running track.
Sports have always played a large part in my family’s history. Looking back at this photo of my grandfather in 1929, I can see where I get my competitive spirit. Having photos like these really helps to picture the stories I’ve been told over the years.
-Marcus J.
Before they were grandparents they were madly in love!
I love this picture for so many reasons…the story is too long to get into, but this is my grandmother with her second husband, the one I knew as my grandfather. My biological grandfather, her first husband, was murdered two months before my mother was born. The man in this picture was my bio granddad’s best childhood friend, and when my mom was born, he stepped in like a real man does to raise her and take care of my grandmother. They had 3 more kids and had a happy life together until he died of cancer in 1990. To me this picture just reminds me that you never know what’s around the corner…it could be tragedy, or true love.
(submitted by brokenxrecord)
Before they were grandparents, they were discovering new trails.
My maternal grandparents taking in some cross country skiing; probably in the early 1930s.
-Justin Y.
