It’s Valentine’s Day, so think back … to your first crush, first kiss, school dances, making out. Our parents called it puppy love, but to us it was a hormone-laden roller-coaster ride of joy and heartbreak. But perhaps you saw it differently when your children reached that tender age. Share your teenage love stories forward.
What We Wore
Despite our disdain for convention, we were always fashionable—from coonskin caps, blue suede shoes, and poodle skirts to gogo boots and miniskirts. We pulled on pantyhose and dreamed of dancing in our Maidenform bras. Then we burned them. Think back … Bell bottoms, polyester, peace pendants, tie-dye—our style choices defined a generation. Share your fashion adventures forward.
New Beginnings
The Roman philosopher Seneca said “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” The re-launch of Retrospect mixes old memories with new beginnings, past stories with new possibilities. Think back … When in your life did you begin anew? What ideas do you have for new beginnings in the future? Share your starting over stories forward.
Lost in Space
Sputnik. Mercury. Star Trek. Star Wars. 2001. The Right Stuff. Cosmos. Between the space race and science fiction, we spent much of our formative years focused on the cosmos. Think back to the moon landing, Kurt Vonnegut, and Carl Sagan. What role did space dreams and sci-fi play in your life? Would you leave Earth to colonize Mars? Share your space stories forward.
The Road Not Taken
Over the course of a life, we make thousands of decisions. Think back … where were the turning points? Had you chosen differently—a different school, career, mate, or life—how would your life have changed? Which path do you regret not taking? Which path are you glad you avoided? If you had your life to live over, what would you change and what would you keep? Share your alternative stories forward.
Hair
Too long. Too short. Too curly. Too straight. We braided it, curled it, teased it, permed it, set it, fought with our parents over it. Later, perhaps, it thinned or turned gray, or disappeared altogether. What did hair mean when we were growing up? What does it mean now? Think back … and share your hair stories forward.
Generation Gap
Don’t trust anyone over 30. That’s what we said … when we were under 30. Think back … What did you think of your parents and their generation when we were young? Were they squares? Sell-outs? Did they understand you at all? Did your thinking change as time passed? Are you closer to your children now than you were to your parents then? Share your generation gap stories forward.
Drive-Ins
Drive-in movies. Drive-in restaurants. It seems like we were always at one or the other. Think back … to the car culture of our childhood or teenage years. What memories do drive-ins conjure up for you? Food servers on roller skates? Popcorn all over the car? Necking (or more) in the back seat? What should our unlucky progeny know about this world they never knew? Share your drive-in stories forward.
Beatles vs Stones
Think back … to the “British invasion.” It was the Beatles vs the Rolling Stones and you had to pick a side. The moptops next door or the bad boys of rock? Soulful John or unruly Mick? “She Loves You” or “Satisfaction?” “The White Album” or “Sticky Fingers?” Do you still love their music? Are you fans of the remaining band members now? Share your Beatles and Stones stories forward.
What We Ate
Think back … to family dinners. Reading cereal boxes at the breakfast table. Lunch in the school cafeteria. Barbecues. Drive-ins. Pizza parlors. Chinese takeout. Burger joints. “Special occasion” restaurants. So many of our memories revolve around food. Share them forward!