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I started reading FBorFW when my children (boy and girl) were young. It amazed me that it seemed the Pattersons were living MY life! It became even more apparent when Ellie and I were pregnant together and gave birth to girls in April.

The loss of parents and pets, the stress of raising kids, the ups and downs of getting older - all these things my family shares with your family - and probably countless others. It gives me peace to know that I'm not alone in this crazy world.

Thank you for such a wonderful, insightful look into MY life!

Penny M, Lexington KY

Elizabeth was always one of my favorite characters. I thought she was a wonderful blend of naivete, insecurity, and independence. She also seemed average, someone you would want to be friends with. My, she certainly has changed.

The strips since Liz found out that Anthony had finally gotten his divorce began to show a change in her character, starting out with her horrible treatment of Paul. Since her return, she has been depicted as smug, a pseudo-intellectual, dependent, self-serving, and selfish. Her aggressive sexual behavior toward Anthony comes across as a desperate attempt to prove her importance.

Liz seems to be using Anthony's juvenile infatuation with her to become "successful"--which means marrying someone just like her father, getting the insta-family and a nice house. What a shame.

I find it very sad that Liz was not able to sustain a relationship with a strong male, live independently and is only a mediocre teacher. I find it even more shameful that Anthony destroyed his first marriage with his obsession with Liz, and appears to have no problem with putting Liz ahead of his daughter. No wonder Liz and Anthony have no friends anymore.

Jayne

We've read your strip since my kids (now 40ish) were little. They always said you lived in our closet! So many of your episodes were happening in our house too, although I am older, I still read the "funnie"s every day. I usually save FBorFW for last--knowing that it will always touch me. I can't pick a favorite storyline, they all have seemed so relevant to what was going on in my life. Thanks

Helen K, Pittsford NY

I have been reading your strip since the beginning, in Toronto a long time ago. It is the first thing I look at online in the morning and it always makes me smile. It seems Lynn that you have a window into the souls of the masses.

Thank you for sharing the plights of their children, for showing Deanna nursing her children, for showing the children in a bed together, and a room together. Placing Michael in a not always traditional role; caring, responsible, nurturing, and one of ownership of their family's life and their lifestyle. I love that they have traditional values, but contemporary lifestyles...I hope I am being clear, I am an underslept working Mother of two, with children of similar ages of Michael and Deanna. These comics make me not only recall my youth, they remind me that I was once young, and how a child may feel! Thank you for always leaving a smile on my face!

Faith, Toronto to Boston

I'm mystified by all the defense of Therese. Yes, she may have had PPD, but she was insanely jealous and spiteful from way back. I think Anthony married her because he really hadn't wanted to break up with Liz and was trying to move on -- with a totally different type. It was a huge mistake. What I don't get is why Therese married him, unless she wanted somebody she could push around. She's supposed to be this sophisticated woman who knows she wants a career, yet she supposedly allowed her parents and Anthony (Anthony??) to push her into marriage, house and family. I just can't quite integrate the two halves of her, and I wouldn't trust her any farther than I could throw her. Normally I believe strongly that both parents should be involved in a child's upbringing, but no way do I trust Therese to be consistent or nurturing.

Liz's time in Mtigwaki was a temporary adventure and never anything more. It wasn't ever going to work with Paul. Those two could never live in the same environment long-term. Warren was gone so much he was never much more than a name on the page. I hardly saw the point of his existence. Nor any point in drawing Liz's love life out any further. Wisely, L and A waited before just rushing Liz into Francie's life -- but now it's time. I REALLY hope they will at least be engaged by the time the strip freezes in time.

Great job creating characters that engender so much debate!

Marcia H, Wisconsin