Hubby found this photograph of me down the back of a cupboard a few weeks ago. I was about 23 years old on it. It made me quite sad because I don't look anything like this anymore and it gave me the feeling that I had lost myself somewhere along the way. And then a few days after that and being fairly new to facebook, I happened upon my first ever boyfriend and "stalked" the photograph pages of his family and friends (I know I know - you shouldn't do it but I bet you all have!). He looks exactly the same as he ever did. ( I only dumped him because he would ask me every Friday night as we waited for my bus, to go for tea on Sunday to meet his Mum and I was painfully shy and the thought of it filled me with dread!!). Anyway, what struck me on all his photos was his lovely wife of almost 30 years - so slim and pretty and so very well turned out in every photo. I realised in relationship terms that whilst I would consider him to be "The one that got away", he might consider me to be " the lucky escape"!!! And so I have decided to up the ante and try to glam up a bit more. I've bought (and applied) nail varnish, booked for an eyebrow shape, incorporated far more exercise into my daily routine and best of all lost half a stone in weight! (The half stone you may remember I put on in Devon in August!). Its made me feel much better and whilst I know I will never look 23 again, I aim to look a lot better at 53!
Look at her poor love - so sweet and naive and not a clue as to what lay ahead of her. Thank goodness I met Mr Heartshaped when I was 29 and didn't let him get away! (In fact the story of me meeting his Mum was horrendously embarrassing - if you meet me you can ask me and I'll tell you - but I'm not putting it on here!)
32 comments:
oh go on Diane, do tell!
No!
Diane, that is a pretty pic of you.
Oh you little tease. How dare you mention it and then not going into excruciating detail!
I think you should tell all too! No what you mean about Facebook stalking. Been there too! Jx
I look in the mirror and woder what happened. I'm quite at ease with the ageing but it's the extra weight that I hate .
If I look face on in the mirror It's o'k but MY when I turn sideways it's awful
You look lovely in that pic and you are just as lovely now! My one that got away isn't on FB, damn him!
Lisa x
just whisper diane... no one else will hear
I am 40 in September. I look at photos of me 20 years ago and wonder where she has gone too, then I realise that only I can change this 39 year old in to the 40 year old who I want to be, so over the next five months I intend to shift the weight, exercise more, walk to work, sort out the junk from my house and take a little more pride in myself, for myself. But the person who I was, like you, hadn't born and brought up children, met and married (and divorced), run a home, seen interesting and amazing things, so how we look now is due to those amazing life experiences. Jose enrolled me on an introduction to Counselling course, due to start in Oct, so 40 is going to be the start of the life I live for me!!.
Keep up the good work, half a stone is brilliant!!
I can't wait to see you again soon Diane so you can tell me the story. When I do I shall tell you the tale of my sister's hubby to be's first visit to our house for Sunday dinner. So funny - poor love I bet he wondered what had hit him - we still laugh about it now!
You looked lovely at 23 but you look just as lovely now in my opinion although the shade of nail polish you were sporting the other Sunday was very nice - perfectly peachy!
..mmh..so do you think I'm vain?! :D
It doesn't matter if you do not look anymore as you did in your 20s or 30s, you're such a brilliant woman, full of life!
Anyway if a bit of pamper do make you feel better, why not??? ;-)
xxxxx
I agree with Michela!
xxx
My one that got away (stalked his wife) is now big and fat!!! Ha!!! That'll teach him!! Karma...everything for a reason....you are wonderful as you are!
When you factor in 'pretty is as pretty does', you are way ahead of the game as you seem very nice. I actually see the same bright, inquisitive eyes and lovely smile.
You are young-at-heart and that's all that really matters isn't it? But have fun with a primp!
I sometimes look in the mirror and wonder who it is staring back at me. (consequently I try not to look in to too many mirrors). I recently met up with an old friend who I hadn't seen for 40 years, that was a nerve racking experience I can tell you.
Sounds good that you are doing things just for you.
It's not all what's on the outside girl, but, what's on the inside and I'm not talking anything that would go under liposuction LOL!
You are beautiful, don't let anyone tell you different!
Hugs,
Sandie xx
P.S I've got a similar photo of me sitting at the bottom of my friends' stairs, it was her 21st birthday party. Aaah doesn't time fly?
Well done on losing half a stone.
I had to laugh when you said he might consider you to be the lucky escape!
Photos from long ago make me sad sometimes too.
I think having children changes us so much, from happy go lucky to necessarily serious.
Why do we all get fatter? I used to look so much better about a stone lighter than now. Well done for losing the weight! It is the secret to happiness after all!!
I think that is the worst thing isn't it? Meeting the parents! I wish I could lose half a stone - any tips? When I look in the mirror now, which like Elaine, I try not to do too often, I sometimes see my mother and at other times someone I don't recognise at all because I'm still 30ish in my mind:)
You looked lovely then and you look lovely now! Isn't it a shme that when we look in the mirror, a different person looks back at us? x
You looked lovely in your photo, I'm sure you look just as lovely today as you did then. Well done on the weight loss, it does help us to feel a bit better about ourselves when we shed a few pounds.
Be Healthy and be Happy!! That is the most important!! You are beautiful and believe you me at 56 I don't look 23 but....I am happy and that counts for a lot!!!
I don't know how I missed your posts of Grasmere and Beatrix Potters home..I did part of the coast to coast walk a number of years ago and it was one of the most wonderful things I have ever done in my life...I felt " this is where I come from this is where my home is!" The most beautiful spot was Stonethwaite.....oh my gosh...I will never ever forget that sweet little village....someday I am going back!! Thank you so much for the trip down memory lane!!! and treat yourself and be Happy!! xxxxx's
If you really want to eat well, feel good and be healthy please check out forks over knifes, the engine 2 diet and plant-strong eating. My mums been eating like this for two weeks lost weight and reduced her blood pressure enough to not have to take beta blockers. Theres nothing better then looking after yourself xx
Oh Diane - I think you look lovely.
Nina xxx
You look lovely. We all, if we are lucky, get older and our looks and sizes change but, hopefully, our dear ones still see the younger version smiling through our eyes.
I'd be happy to lose a stone but don't think it is going to happen any time soon!
Loved your holiday posts, I'm going to Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth's home later in the year.
Have a lovely Easter.
Carol xx
I've done the same on FB, and found all the blokes I fancied at school, are very nearly all bald! I'm so glad I waited patiently to meet the boy I did! I am sure we all have the same insecurities about ourselves (I certainly do), but have to remember we cannot turn the clocks back to those carefree days of youth. Agreed, there's no harm in improving ourselves though, I'm trying too! x
I shall definitely ask you in August!!
Seriously Diane, you are so pretty because your natural joie de vivre shines out. Have a lovely Easter. x
You`re not getting away with this one -go on spill....!
I have done exactly the same as you Diane and have been peeved to see my ex has gone better looking and more distinguished ... poo ! LOL XX
D'you know what? I don't think you look very different from the 23 year old you, be content.
This touches a nerve with all who read this - your writings show the lovely person you are don't worry about turning back the years be who you are and everyone will love you
You are gorgeous Diane - the wife may be horrible ! Think of all that effort keeping slim !
I'm glad I was dumped by a Dear John letter because he would have been so wrong for me and it led me to finding the right one !
I honestly don't think you look as different as you think you do, I can still see the same smiling face.
If you want to try some 'improvements' though go ahead and don't forget to spoil yourself a little.
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