20 people who found old photos of their parents only to realize that they were really cool
We don’t typically think of our parents as “cool.” By the time we know them, they’re usually pretty tame and their so-called “cool” moments are simply stories we’re not interested in hearing.
Then we find the box of photos and it gives us a peek into who they were before we came into the picture. It’s not always eye-opening, but every now and then you may just find some proof that mom or dad was pretty awesome back in the day.
That’s certainly what these 20 people were surprised to discover:
1. Totally 80s
The 80s don’t seem all that long ago to many of us, but one look at this photo proves it was a totally different world.
Just imagine finding out your mom was a burgeoning rockstar. Do you go up to the attic to try and find that old guitar?
My mom circa 1986. Happy Mother’s day y’all from r/OldSchoolCool
2. He’s the man
If you had ever been this cool, chances are you couldn’t have changed that much over the years. You’ve got to have some of that left in you, right?
Still, we’ve never been caught on film doing anything that cool and we’re not sure how we’d see the world anymore knowing our dad was once that guy.
My dad in the 70’s doing what he loves. Father to 4 boys. More man than myth or legend. from r/OldSchoolCool
3. Giddyup
We couldn’t stage a photo this cool even if we tried – and plenty of people spend their spare time trying to take cool photos of themselves.
This guy looks like he was just having a normal day of being legendary when someone happened to stop by with a camera.
My Dad being infinitely cooler than I’ll ever be. (1980) from r/OldSchoolCool
4. Epic
Do you even know what it means to have a mom who worked at NASA in the 70s who looked cool while she did it?
Perhaps you realize the trailblazing aspect of it all, but seeing the evidence that she was a Russian translator for the Apollo-Soyuz Project – and did it in heels – is a whole new outlook on the past.
5. The manliest
It’s pretty cool to know your dad was in a magazine back in the day. But this is pretty far from him leaning against a tree showing off some clothes!
My dad, taken for Surfer Magazine. Peru, 1977. from r/OldSchoolCool
6. Things that just happen
Before you have kids, you have time to do random things, like get drunk and go fishing. And while that might not seem impressive, catching a record-breaking fish while looking like you plan to go out for another beer later is the kind of casual cool we’re all after.
My father got drunk with some friends and caught a record breaking tuna in Newfoundland. 1972 from r/OldSchoolCool
7. Blushing bride
We take wedding photos so seriously and pay so much for them these days. Just think about how many fake poses you have to go through instead of enjoying the moment.
Well, this woman just had to stand there in order to look amazing.
8. Born to be wild
Some people have puppies, other people have exotic birds as pets.
Granted, the latter might be a lot easier in Bolivia, but there’s something cool about knowing your mom tamed nature.
My mother and her Parrot in Bolivia, ca. 1965 from r/OldSchoolCool
9. He’s with the band
There will always be something eternally cool about being in a band.
Finding photos of your parents being actual rock stars has to be a weird feeling.
My Dad playing with his band in the 70’s. from r/OldSchoolCool
10. Navy seal
No, he didn’t train to be a S.E.A.L. (although that would be pretty awesome too), he trained seals.
The real question here is who wore those whiskers better?
My friend’s Dad trained Seals in the Navy. This was what his everyday job looked like. from r/pics
11. Attitude
We sure hope he still has that head of hair!
A helmetless, bare-footed motorcycle rider wouldn’t make it out onto the road these days, but we have to admit it made for a good throwback photo.
12. One with nature
We’re just going to go ahead and assume she didn’t end up with rabies.
And while we might call raccoons “trash pandas” these days, they really are cute up close. (Just not the type we’d turn into a pet.)
13. First female
Having your mom be the first female anything has to be pretty interesting.
We think it makes up for all the polyester.
My mom was one of the first female camera operators at at a Saskatoon television station in 1970 from r/OldSchoolCool
14. Young bohemians
Not only were they a gorgeous couple back in the 60s, but this photo was posted on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary.
That’s pretty cool!
15. Hot mom
Is it more mind-blowing to find out your parents were cool or that they were pretty hot?
Just be prepared for the comment thread if you post a photo of your mom that looks anything like this.
16. Newlyweds
Think of all the money these two saved on a wedding. They look young and in love and we can totally ignore the pile of beer cans behind them.
My mom and dad on their wedding day – 1980 from r/OldSchoolCool
17. Young love
We’re not sure if this person’s parents told them they were conceived in Santorini or they simply saw this photo and put the pieces together themselves.
My mother and father being young and awesome on Santorini Island, Greece, 1985. I was conceived there. from r/OldSchoolCool
18. What a keeper
A man who calls for directions?
Whoa.
19. Ok, dad
Well, we’re not sure what to make of this, but we do know that we don’t have an equally cool photo of ourselves.
But is there really an album to go with it?
My father in 1982. When I asked him what he was doing in this photo, he said, “Shooting an album cover. Duh.” from r/OldSchoolCool
20. A girl and her horse
Who doesn’t want a pony?
We wonder if, as a mom, she was just as cool.
My mom in the early 70s. She loved animals, jammed to Janis Joplin and hated war. Peace and Love. from r/OldSchoolCool
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Do you have any amazing photos of your parents to share?
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Source: Reddit – r/OldSchoolCool