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I just had my morning Strip Fix just as I do every morning and my God, if it gets any more sickenly sweet and perfect I think I'll just gag! And I agree with several others,did Francie jump from 3 years to 6-7 years old while I wasn't looking or something? I had five girls and they were all pretty bright but at 3 yrs. none of them were able to converse on a level of maturity as this little Einstein.

Adele M, Palm Bay Florida

Lynn,
I've watched Iris and Jim with great interest since my mother had a stroke more than two years ago and suffers from aphasia. Three weeks ago she had another major stroke. As I sit here in the Hospice House with her, I wonder about Jim. Hospice is an amazing organization providing extraordinary care for those who are dying. If and when Jim dies, think about him being in Hospice for the final ending. Iris and the family are terrific but I don't think they could take care of him in this way. Just a suggestion.

Sandy, Breckenridge CO

I was on the fence about Anthony and Liz, especially with Francie mixed into the relationship.

The last panel of today's strip convinced me: that little girl has sense and heart.

Why don't they pretend they're a family, indeed? Now, I think it's a very good idea.

Susan S, New York

I'd like to comment on the Anthony and Liz friendship comments.
I have been married for seven years and have two kids. I was friends with my husband for years before dating him. I had a hunch that something special was there even before dating. However, when my mother asked if I loved him, I told her that I did not know. I just felt this incredible warm fuzzy fondness for him. But, I knew I enjoyed being around him more than anyone. I had other relationships that made me "weak in the knees." However, ultimately, they fell apart once that stage was over. This marriage has been unbelievably happy and I cannot believe how lucky I am. I also have been told by friends and family that our relationship is a model they strive for. I guess what I am trying to say is that just because you don't feel atomic passion for someone; it does not mean that they are not the great love of your life. I think that is what is happening here with this strip. I foresee these two having an excellent future. In relationships, the concept of friendship should be one of the most important, since ultimately, it is what holds everyone together. All I can do is speak from my experience. I'd do it again a thousand times!!

Cathy, Albany NY

Instead of Lynn spending all that time researching aphasia and noble native culture, maybe she should spend some more time at the local day care center. Three year olds simply do not talk or reason like Francoise apparently can. A three year ld would never say the were pretending to do something, they would just say they were doing it. The metacognition is just not there yet.

Pat, Ann Arbor

A good marriage isn't just fireworks because ultimately you need a good friendship to keep a marriage healthy when the tough times arise. My husband and I are more like Liz and Anthony, the type of relationship where you can just sit together without saying a word and be "home". It's like he's part of my soul and I'm just not right without him around. Ultimately I'd rather have the type of relationship that'll stand the test of time rather than fizzling out when the fireworks wear off. Thanks Lynn, for all you do...

Tanya O, Nova Scotia

How wonderful that Francie is getting a female role model who allows her to get dirty, but silly and Play make believe! Therese always struck me as someone who held to the adage "Children should be seen and not heard" and sometimes not even seen.

To see Anthony and Liz down on the floor playing with her this morning was a great indication of the future. A wonderful, secure family who can get the most from their time together.

I'm sure there will be stressful times ahead, but today's strip was a great look at what this family could become.

Thank you for breaking down the fourth wall and allowing us a peak inside the lives of the Pattersons.

Maria, Grand Rapids MI

Now today's comic is sooo sweet! Out of all the kids, Francie is my favorite. The others can be such brats...

Beth, NY

I have been reading others comments, and I have to agree- where is the romance and the "I love you"?? What kind of propsal is "gee, I like you, and maybe we should talk about marrige...maybe I could call you my fiance..."? What is that? I am not one of those people who thinks all propsals have to involve rings with someone on one knee- but they SHOULD mention love. Its great to have your partner also be your best friend. But I even tell my friends that I love them. I could not imagine being in a marrige that began by talking about our "great, long friendship"

I also think its sad that Liz gave up on Mtigwaki. And again, I must agree with the comments of others that the message of this strip seems to be "stay close to home and marry the first person you ever had a thing for". Living far from home is tough. The whole Atlantic sits between me and the rest of my family, and I miss them terribly- but I also would never want to give up all that I have gained and learned from living so far from "home". I am home, now.

I really, really hate the Anthony/Liz storyline. I love this comic, have for years, but this storyline just really makes my skin crawl.

Rachel, the Netherlands

Just wanted to make a couple observations.
#1. Some women shouldn't be wives and/or mothers. Unfortunately, it usually takes becoming both to discover you shouldn't be either. That's what happened to me and apparentely, its what happened to Therese. She realized her limitations and got out. It doesn't make her a bad person #2. A lot of people are faulting Anthony for marrying Therese when he still had feelings for Liz. As I recall, he didn't drag Therese fighting and screaming to the altar. She went willingly and she certainly was aware of Anthony's unresolved feelings for Liz. He was wrong to marry her, but she was just as wrong. She whould have refused to marry him when she knew how he felt about Liz.
#3 I really would like to see April hook up with Jeremy Jones in the future. Boys always pick on girls they like. He needs the chance to redeem himself to her

Nan B, South Carolina

I'm amazed at the number of people who think Anthony is a wimp. The only ones defending him say he is brave because he defended Liz from an attacker.

I don't know anything braver than taking on single parenthood, that takes far more guts than punching a guy. But Anthony jumped right into it without a second thought.

I married an Anthony after a similar experience of dating, then being apart for years, then getting back together after his failed marriage and birth of a child (that's why I was happy with the story line putting Elizabeth as a stepmom). So a lot of Anthony's actions are familiar and understandable to me. We even had a similarly unspectacular engagement.

It's been 20 years now, and life hasn't been dull and my husband is a warm and loving guy. I think Liz made a great choice.

Mary N, Nokia Finland

I just saw March 18th's strip and it was so touching I couldn't help but cry. Such a long time coming to this stage and Francie will get the mommy she deserves. Great strip! I've been a loyal reader almost since the beginning and even have kids Michael and Elizabeth's age so there were many parallels. So many wonderful strips.

Lanore S, Lincoln, NE U.S.

Up to now, I was totally fine with how things were going with the Liz/Anthony proposal. In fact, my husband of 13 years and I had a similar engagement - very much a decision between the two of us.

But, today I'm turning the other way. Maybe I could turn back around (I'll stick through it, as I never miss a day), but the little tea party was just too syrupy!

Kay, San Francisco Bay

I couldn't be happier for Liz and Anthony. Ever since university, it's seemed that just when they started to get close or to miss one another, some new development in their other relationships made it impossible for them to get back together. I don't think the attraction or the desire to try to rekindle something has ever been missing.

I'm sure Liz will make an excellent stepmother. She's such a good nurturer (certainly something she saw modeled as she was growing up with John and Elly!) and genuinely cares about kids. Francie really needs a mother in her life who's more concerned about her than about her own career, and I think Liz will enjoy creating that new bond with Francie. As a teacher, the balance between being Francie's friend and being an authority figure should come easily to Liz.

Ruth A, Berlin Germany

If only Anthony had done more than pretend that he and Therese were a family, instead of coercing her into a life she didn't want, mooning over Elizabeth all the while.

Also, it's been a week now. When are Anthony and Elizabeth going to mention anything about loving each other?

Chris P, Boston MA

I've been a devoted fan of the strip for years, but this is the first time I've written you. First, I must thank you (and your staff too!) for all of your hard work in keeping us entertained. I appreciate you and your work!!!

There have been so many strips that were similar to my life, it's been uncanny! I married my husband the same week that Mike and Deanna married. My mother passed away when Marian passed away. And also similar with Farley and my beloved Sweetie.

What I really appreciate now that is a parallel to my life is the new look into a possible stepfamily and the kid and divorce issues! I became a step parent with this marriage and I was secretly hoping you'd go there with Liz and Anthony and Francie so that I could see normal stepfamily dynamics represented somewhere in the media. It rarely happens in real life and everybody seems to assume I am an evil stepmother and the *original mates* should have never gone separate ways. In my case it couldn't be farther from the truth! I LOVE that you are having Liz and Francie go slow too. Too many people assume that when the blended family comes together, it should be an automatically swift and happy situation for all. That is not always the case. I think among many of my friends who are "living in step" that if there was anything we could redo, it would be that we took more time with the kids involved. No they don't always understand and yes they will have issues, but if they are old enough to understand some of the dynamics of the situation, then they may also know that there's no rule book! It's a wing and a prayer at best.
Thank you again and God bless you all!

ZLB, Austin TX

I love Anthony's relationship with Elizabeth, and I'm SO EXCITED that they're engaged! (I know it's 'just' a comic strip, but I grew up with this strip, and I feel like I know these people). Anthony and Elizabeth really, really love each other. Their relationship is a deep, sincere partnership based in friendship and loyalty and understanding. That's so much more exciting than Hollywood!

Hallie, Springfield VA

This story about Elizabeth's engagement to Anthony seems to be going along the lines of a story with a serious message to be told, sort of like Lawrences story or Grandpa Jim's stroke story (both of them very well done stories). Is this going to be a text book case of a young couple with a step-child, a bitter ex-wife, and all the drama that unfolds as the little family moves along through their life. I'm close to Lynn's age, my children are close enough to Michael and Elizabeth's ages, I've been reading and thoroughly enjoying FBOFW right since the beginning. But I'm going to be losing interest very quickly if this is the future of this comic strip, Elizabeth struggling to raise a step child, with a cold bitter ex-wife in the background. When push comes to shove, no matter how much Anthony loves Elizabeth, Anthony will inevitably side with Francie on issues. I see and work with children every day of my life who are the victims of their parents' marital problems. Anthony and Elizabeth are young and inexperienced and it would be unrealistic and unfair to have them glide through life without problems arising from raising a step child. On the other hand it will be way too real and too grim to read about real life issues in a family such Elizabeth's and Anthony's. "You can't tell me what to do! You aren't even my REAL mother, and my REAL mother says I CAN get 7 body piercings with 3 of them in unmentionable places!!" Terese may not be interested much in Francie now, but even a cold, distant mother would certainly become very interested with a new step-mother in her little daughter's life. "Elizabeth has NO RIGHT to go to Francie's parent-teacher conferences!! I am her mother (even though I don't care a flying fig about the child) and I will go to the conference and Elizabeth can just butt out!!!"

Elizabeth and Anthony are just too young and inexperienced not to have problems raising this child, and I don't want to be reading about it in a comic strip.

I've been for a new love in Elizabeth's life all along, but I think it would be a BIG mistake for Elizabeth to withdraw from Francie's life now that Anthony and Elizabeth have discussed marriage with her. That was a BIG mistake right there, taking such a little girl into their confidences so quicly before the two adults even had time to talk about it themselfves.

What a mess this Elizabeth and Anthony thing has become. It feels to me like it has become a no-win situation. I don't want to read this strip if becomes a soap opera of problems about raising a step child, and I think it is very unrealistic to think problems about raising a step child shouldn't be portrayed.

Unless the plan is to quietly let Terese slip into the woodwork and disappear, while suddenly Anthony and Elizabeth get married and appear to have a ready made little girl of their own. Talk about unrealisitc and unfair. That's how soap opera stories unfold. I remember one show where a superfluous older brother went up to the attic to get his skiis one day, and never came down again, no explanation ever given. People get college educations and law degrees in one year and unknown relatives pop up out of nowhere.

This isn't a soap opera, for heaven's sake! This is supposed to be a comic strip! I love the little dramas that have unfolded over the years along with the light hearted story lines interwoven, but the dramas have always been realistic and they've always had an expiraton date. Even beloved Grandpa Jim has an expiration date (we all have one), but a step child story goes on for life.

I don't know where Lynn is going with the Anthony-Elizabeth story...........

Karlie, Indiana

I think it is very brave of Lynn to show two young people eschewing the nonsense of love and romance and depicting a sensible marriage of convenience between Liz and Anthony. They both want the same things in life: children, and to live in Milborough, and to lead a quiet life. If more young people were smart enough to marry someone they don't love, like Liz and Anthony, the divorce rate would be much lower!

Lana L, Des Moines Iowa

We don't know what will happen next! It just may happen that not only Warren will hover (pardon the pun)a bit, but that Paul AND Eric just may cross her path before this is done. Wouldn't that make for a nice pot of mulligan stew??

And don't forget: Therese was paranoid about Liz from the git-go. She constantly threw that relationship in Anthony's face--Liz never had to say a word. As for Anthony being boring--there is so much about him we don't know. How do we know that the visit from Warren (and possibly the other guys) will give him a swift kick in the pants? Personally, I hope that's what happens!

Rynn C, Indiana

I think Liz and Anthony are a good fit, and I dont think either of them are "settling". I think they have had enough life experiences now to appreciate what home and hearth really do represent.

And as far as Theresa goes, she was already way self- absorbed with herself and work, and left Anthony taking care of Francie all the time.

I am happy it worked out this way. Marrying someone familiar isn't weak, it's recognizing the blessings we all have in every day life. Sometimes it takes being away and being traumatized to realize it.

Natalie, Tulsa OK

I'm so bummed. Elizabeth doesn't need an instant family and shouldn't be ready to settle down (or settle). She should date a little, travel and live a little first. Anthony isn't the one.

Anne, Orlando FL

I have read your comic strip for as long as I can remember. As a university student, I still look forward to reading your comic as well as the news in the stack of newspapers that my parents save for me for when I come home on the weekends. I also really enjoy the fact that the strip is Canadian. Being Canadian myself, I find it refreshing to be able to read a strip that takes place in my own country.

Madd, Ontario

Anthony did not treat Therese poorly. Therese got what she asked for, just not what she wanted. Anthony has acted with honor every step of the way. Now he's a single dad trying to watch out for his daughter and balancing his own "never lost" love for Elizabeth.

This IS a love story. Liz and Anthony have grown beyond the "Knocks your socks off" childishness of love and are coming to realize that "True Love" is friendship in its most evolved state. More power to Lynn for showing "this" side of "real life" in her strip as well as tackling such subjects as homosexuality, disease, injury, and death.

Michael S, Louisville KY

I'm a huge fan of Liz and Anthony, but isn't this proposal awfully quick, considering they were just talking about taking it slow? I'm confused by all the people writing in to cheer that they are "FINALLY!" together.

It's only been nine months since they got together at the wedding. Liz just got out of a fairly serious relationship, and Anthony had a painful divorce and has a young child! I can't imagine how just because they dated in high school (and then almost totally lost touch during college) means that being engaged in less than a year is "taking it slow" -- especially since they haven't even said "I love you" yet (and no, there's no reason to assume they've said it offscreen.)

Whether it's meant to be a whirlwind romance or a careful relationship, either would make a great story. But it seems like they're trying to do both at once, which makes them look like a couple of kids who don't know what they want and are just settling for whatever's easiest.

We fans knew they would have a great relationship if they got together -- now please let us SEE that relationship!

Elizabeth, Knoxville

Pass the kleenex!!!

OMG! So I haven't looked at the strip in a few weeks and you go do THIS???

Thanks a bunch for confirming what a sap i am. I cried. Now I realize that over time, watching the characters develop and enjoying them....I have come to 'know" them. I have always had a soft spot for Elizabeth.

I see the other comments about whether or not Anthony and Liz are 'true love'...I cant say that but I can say I love THEM together. :-))))IMO, the experience with the pilot , and a brief moment of Anthony's questioning trust, confirmed to Liz that she *was in love. He has and continues to be her knight in shining armor.

I don't consider the scenario saccharine at ALL! Liz will have to give up the notion of being a traditional brdie, as she faces a ready-made family and a divorcee husband. As often happens in real life.

Likewise, I don't see this as "settling".

Hey, nice guys are cool too!

let's just hope our shining knight Sir Anthony has a more appropriate proposal lined up.

Well Done, LJ!
Glued to my screen at midnight tonight....Donna C

Donna, NJ