Being a grandparent is a large responsibility, but grandparents have a wealth of experience.

You are blessed if you were able to meet your grandparents.

But how well do you know your grandparents?

Sure, you’re aware that your grandmother enjoys knitting cute sweaters and playing bridge with her friends every Tuesday night. And Grandpa enjoys watching submarine documentaries before going for a round of golf or relaxing on the front porch. But, when they were your age, what did they do? Chances are, it will be something WAY cooler than anything you have ever done.

Here are 15 stories of people who discovered old photos of their grandparents.

They realized they’re way cooler than they ever imagined!

1. “My favorite picture of my grandmother. 1942.”

Being a single mother is difficult. But the women of that era were incredibly strong and courageous. They had to be because divorcees were shunned. There were no shelters for those fleeing domestic abuse and daycare was nearly non-existent.

@jewelsinme:

“She’s strong, raised six children on her own after leaving an alcoholic husband. Worked 7 days a week as a cook in a gas station from 3 am – 5pm. I would stay every weekend with her and sleep on the floor of the gas station back then. She’s amazing.”

2. “My very cool grandpa in the 1950s holding a fish, smoking a cigarette, with a book tucked into his pants and cigarette pack in his sleeve.”

You’ve got to love men in the 1950s. They have a strange ability to make filthy white t-shirts and packs of cigarettes look good!

3. “My great grandmother, working as a welder during WWII”

Only a WWII-era woman could make welding look so appealing. She resembles Rosie the Riveter, but she’s cuter!

@itsakidsbooksantiago:

“My grandma was a welder during the war too! She loved it. Said it was just like sewing.”

4. “Grandma sent me a picture of my grandpa at my age to make me feel like shit.”

Don’t you find it strange to look at this very buff, nearly naked man who is now someone’s grandfather? There are some conflicting emotions there!

@geetarzkool:

“Grams and Gramps were bangin’ like bunnies. Ewww…… Then again, can you blame her? But still, ewww……”

5. “This photo always puts a smile on my face. Our 86-year-old grandmother back in the day.”

They no longer produce flight attendants like they used to! Their classy uniforms were also remarkable. Everything was first-rate!

6. “My Grandmother, 1940s”

Grandma appears to be a movie star! They just don’t make as much old-school glamour as they used to.

@MinistryOfSpeling:

“You’d be surprised. We have pictures of my grandmother from the 20s in sheer clothing. PBS used to show some documentaries about old world’s fairs that were wall to wall old-timey TnA.”

7. “If I could only be half as badass as my grandfather this Memorial Day, c. 1960”

I think I’ll just put my adorable tiger cub in this backpack and go for a walk. It’ll be a hit with the ladies!

@HATEPRIDE

“Your granddad was SF [Special Forces]. Regular conventional troops wore OD Green uniforms. That tiger stripe uniform was experimental at the time, and was issued only to SF/LRRPs and ARVN SF. Just by seeing the uniform I can tell your grandad was a physically and mentally tough man.”

8. “My grandfather the day before he shipped out with the Marines, 1941”

Yowzers! He won’t let me take my gaze away from those smoldering eyes. Wasn’t everyone a huge heartthrob back then?

@thumbs_are_overrated:

“He actually looks like the actor in the 1980s movie The Philadelphia Experiment, which odd enough, involved a WWII ship/sailor and time travel or something.”

9. “My Grandma as an Air Traffic Controller. She would have been 97 now.”

She was a total lady! Even the way she holds that pencil says, “I’m too cool for you.”

@MtSaintAsshole:

““Your grandma looks like the kind of woman who would have seduced a private investigator and then shot him when he fulfilled his purpose …compliment, by the way.”

10. “My grandmother right after she ran away from communistic Bulgaria to Germany (1978).”

I believe this stunning lady was the inspiration for ZZ Top’s “She’s Got Legs.” What an absolute knockout!

@ugghhh_gah:

“Wow, gorgeous! She kinda reminds me of Debi Mazar.”

11. “My Finnish grandfather smoking a cigarette and holding a wild fox that he befriended. (Circa 1975)”

How exactly do you make friends with a fox? No, you do not! Not unless you’re Finn, who is the epitome of cool.

12. “Photo of my grandfather exiting his plane after getting shot down.”

Dear Betty: The plane just took a nosedive into the ocean. It’s no big deal. I took my time getting away from the raging seas so I could pose for a picture like a boss. Sweetums, I hope you enjoy it. Love, The Man.

@gettingthere52:

“From what my dad told me was that when his plane was shot, it was leaking fuel so he had the ability to escape from fire. He tried to make his way back to ship but fell short and one of the photographers on the ship snapped the photo.”

13. “I recently lost my grandmother to cancer. This will always be one of my favorite photos of her.”

This is going to be everyone’s favorite photo of your grandmother from now on. She was one sassy lady back in the day!

@MasInMancy:

“My grandfather just looked over my shoulder and saw this and said, “Hubba hubba.” You have the Bamps seal of approval. Congrats.”

14. “My great grandfather gave Einstein violin lessons.”

This is a fantastic snapshot! It’s not every day that you get to hike your pants up to your chest alongside one of the world’s most brilliant minds.

15. “My great grandfather showing off one of the horses he trained for World War 1 – Petawawa, ~1922”

I’m not sure how Lawrence of Arabia riding horses through flames can get any cooler. Don’t even attempt it. You’re going to lose.

@didiams:

“Looks like he’s trying to escape an evaporating world.”

Please SHARE this with your friends and family!

Sources: Bored Panda, Wikipedia – Grandparent