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Oh, Lynn. Today's strip [Sunday July 23] with Elizabeth, Anthony and Francie just warmed my heart. I am SO happy for Liz!

My son and daughter are about the same age as Liz and Mike, and I've not yet had the joy of seeing them wed. If I could make just one request of you before you retire to the new format, it would be to get to share in Elizabeth and Anthony's wedding.

Of course, there are so many wonderful twists and turns of family life, and I would also love to see April in university, and then as a vet... Grampa recover his speech (I loved his monthly letters!)... John and Elly's dynamic retirement... and to watch as the grandchildren all grow up together.

You've spoiled us, Lynn, and it will be so hard to let you go! However, nothing lasts forever, and you have certainly earned a peaceful, dynamic retirement of your own.

Thank you so much for every grin and tear (and we started with "David, We're Pregnant!") over the past 31 years. God bless!

KQ, San Francisco Bay Area

When I first read FB or FW, I had two toddlers running around as did Elly. I felt so connected with each story she had. I even found out I was pregnant late in life as did Elly. My toddlers were now teens and here I was pregnant. I was so terrifed but Elly sure helped. RJ is now 14 and loves April because of the connection. He has now read all of my FB or FW books (which I have everyone). Thanks for all of your wonderful stories. I happy with each one.
Sincerely,

BJ F., Darlington, WI

Been reading the strip since it began.
Just want you to know that every time I see Elizabeth and Anthony now I tear right up *sniff* Thank you - we've been waiting so long for this, and you are giving us a great payoff!
Take your time developing this story, I want to savor every moment!

Glee V., New England

"You can pick them up and hold them"

You can pick them up and hold them.
Pictures of the past, flowers by the stem.
The children as they grow, small pets and many other things This is what the strip For Better or For Worse sings.

You can pick them up and hold them close to your heart.
Drawing Lynn did bringing people in her family into art.
Remember what she did when FBORFW was young- and now there will be songs that may never be sung.

Memories in the strip that are permanent in my heart are:
the kids growing up to find what they are, Dee's and my pregnancy 2002 live- and we both have Daughters who at this moment are nearly FIVE!

You can't pick up memories and hold them off the computer unless you print them out- But this is just a poem to Give a out a shout!

Thank You Lynn For all your work
Is that coffee in Corbeil I smell about to overperk?

The children are grown, and they're not exactly able to be picked up any more, but we can still hold them... What does the future have in store?

Lara B., Santa Ana Ca.

Dear Ms. Johnston,

I am a soldier in the United States Army and as I was going through some of my stuff that I've collected over the years I realized how important you and the Patterson family have been to me.

I wanted to write this to thank you and let you know how I feel.

I grew up with the Mike, Liz, and April. To this day I still get tears in my eyes when I read the strips of Farley's HEROIC death. When an old friend of mine came to me and told me he was gay and didn't know how to tell his parents, I showed him the strips about that very subject.

Even today, with everything going on in the world and with my chosen career, you give me an honest look at everything I have sworn to give my life to protect.

From the bottom of my heart I say THANK YOU!

Brian R. B., Sergeant, United States Army

So today the photo albums came out, I suppose the beginning of the hybrid?!? I thought it wouldn't start until August? Why are you cheating and using it now? Surely you could have had some other story line of Michael and his family settling into their house. I hope that next week and the rest of July at least you can share more on the rest of the clan before we have to settle for the hybrid full time.

Of course I can't help but hope that we would check back in on Liz and Anthony surely they aren't still at that wedding. I can't say that I am totally for them being together forever. Liz may still have some oats to sow. Every guy you paired her with has been a jerk. She was cheated on twice and Warren just choppers in now and again. And his thoughts at Mike's dinner show that you don't give him much hope for being any different. And then there's Anthony. What's so great about a guy who marries one woman and still professes his love for another?

While I don't condone Therese cheating maybe I see where she was looking for a little emotional connection, tired of always being compared to "first love". Sure at one point she was even jealous of Tracey but she had no reason to believe marriage would stop Anthony. Your spouse lusting after another person can be just as damaging psychologically as a physical affair. Maybe even more so because in our thoughts the other person can always be perfect while in person they can prove they aren't. Anthony told Liz at one point that in the beginning Theresa had loved him. So I wonder if she had a child thinking it may help their relationship even though she didn't really want one and then realized that nothing could change his feelings toward her or for Liz. Yes he loves his little girl but will that be enough to spare her the anguish of knowing he never really loved her mother? And I have a feeling when she's older she may blame Liz for the break up of her parents marriage. You've weaved a tangled web for them.

I would like to say thank you for a thought provoking comic. I have enjoyed them for years, except the unnecessary Lawrence story but that's another email.

Vickie K.

I have been reading FBOFW since I was a young kid when it first began, and I am so glad that it will be continuing in a slightly altered format for awhile instead of ending completely. Lynn, you are a gifted storyteller and a talented artist (your team is awesome too). You have crafted an entire community of individuals, each with distinct and interesting personalities of their own, and whom readers can relate to and care about. They each have their own quirks and foibles, and that's what I love about them so much - they are not "perfect", they are like the real people in our families, neighbourhoods, schools and workplaces.

And although the characters and storylines have universal appeal, I love that the strip has always been proudly Canadian. I grew up in Winnipeg but recently moved to the US with my husband and three small children, and I enjoy being able to keep up with the strip as it reminds me of home (I still miss Tim Hortin's though!) Anyway, thank you Lynn for all the years of excellent storytelling, I admire you greatly and wish you all the best as you begin to wind down and hopefully enjoy a little more relaxation time with family and friends. Take care!

Caralee D., Minnesota

April was born shortly after my own son died, and that's when the strip became important to me. I enjoyed April's infancy and have watched her grow up vicariously. It has always amazed me how Lynn can express so much with just a few squiggles of a pen. I think she must've taken an anatomy class, or else she just takes incredible notice of the human form. I loved the way the babies were held, so amazingly realistic. I am always looking at the positions of arms and legs, the relative placement of characters in a frame, etc. I haven't analyzed the personalities as some readers have, just taken them like the real people in my life, less than perfect, but trying to do their best. Thanks for the memories, Lynn.

Judy P., California, USA