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One of the things I've always liked about FBorFW is its moving in real time. However, in reviewing collections, I've noticed some glitches. These are not related to the three-year freeze in Mike and Liz's ages, but occur after the real-time aging went into effect.

Until sometime in 2001, Liz was consistently shown to be four years younger than Mike. When she started kindergarten, he started grade four; then it was grade one vs. grade five, grade two vs. grade six, etc. In 1998, at age 18, Liz had her grade-12 graduation, and she had her grade-13 graduation in 1999, as a 19-year old. She began university in the fall of 1999.

In 2000, April complained about being 11 years younger than Liz.

However, sometime in 2001, Liz's birth year was changed to 1981, making her five years younger than Mike and 10 years older than April. And she spent FIVE years in university, though this has never been explained.

Elly went through a similar change. In 1994, she fretted about turning 45. Until Michael reminded her that her birthday was in 1950, so she'd be turning 44. But this site now gives her year of birth as 1951.

Were these changes pre-meditated, and if so, what was the reasoning behind them?

Katje B., Albany, NY, USA

Lynn Replies:
Congratulations! You are the only one to solve the "intentionally puzzling date game"! Send us a mailing address and we'll send you an envelope of real Northern Canadian AIR!!! This healthy and unique gift will undoubtedly be the talk of the town. All the best, Lynn.

In answer to your questions: It's not unusual for Liz to have spent five years in University, as one needs a four-year degree to teach higher level classes in Canada. With regard to the dates of the characters' births, there have been some adjustments made over time, mainly due to the fact that Lynn held Liz's and Michael's ages steady for three years in the early days of FBorFW (until Lynn's own children were older), while keeping Elly's and John's ages changing in real-time. Thanks for paying such close attention! We may well have made a mistake at some point. It wouldn't be our first! See the "Whoops!" section of our Q and Eh page for our notable errors.