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Morning,

I have been reading your comic since the beginning and recently become a follower of the Coffee talk. Its amazing to me how emotional people are getting concerning the "Liz/Anthony" story. This is really the greatest accolade an author/artist can get. It is a wonderful thing when the characters of a story or comic have become so real in the hearts of the readers that they begin to see them as true, living people. No longer characters on a page, for many (myself included), the Pattersons are a real family with you as the chronicler of their life. They will go on living long after your pen has ceased to reveal them to us; In our minds, our hearts, and somewhere in Canada.

Thank you

Patrick D, Atlanta GA

Today's strip was sad to me....Anthony seems so intent on insisting that they take it "slow" that it makes me wonder if he really wants to marry Liz at all. I mean, he has known her for years. How much slower does he need to go? I think that, ultimately, he is the one who will be conflicted about this relationship, and it is his little girl who will pay the price, because it will be one more mother figure in her life who is gone.
I was so sad when Liz's heart was broken when she found Paul with the replacement teacher, Susan.. There was a lot of anger and hurt, but I don't sense anything like that kind of passion in this relationship that Liz supposedly has with Anthony. I love that this strip always surprises me, so maybe there are things ahead for Liz that will surprise us. That's what keeps me reading every day!

Susan, Illinois

"Should we look for a ring"

"Then I guess we could say we are married"

"We're good friends"

Poor poor Liz. She deserves so much better. Bells! Butterflies in the stomach!
Glee! She is so happy grabbing the crumbs from Anthony's weak proposal and decision to look for a ring she is being deprived of the experience of being proposed to by someone you love..and who loves you back.

She may love Anthony, so her emotions are real, but is that all Anthony can offer? Tepid, boring discussion about the logical course they might enter for the future. *sigh* so sad, so very sad.

Juli, Illinois

Hi Lynn and Gang, I love the way Anthony and Liz are talking about their upcoming official engagement.... What is romance??? Why are we so hung up on mushy stuff...That's not real life..... We need more relationship that are dealing with realities instead of fantasies.... I believe that since Liz and Anthony has mature through the years that they are ready for a more mature relationship...Which says a lot for Francie... Yes she sounds mature.. I have a 2 year old grandson that been talking since he was 7 months...and at the age of 10 months, he looked up at his aunt and asked why was his mother going outside....

Thanks for keeping it real
LOL

Andrea, Upper Marlboro, MD

I don't see Anthony's one action of pulling Howard off Liz as especially heroic. That was something he *wanted* to do. He's been fantasizing about saving Liz since he was 13; it did not take exceptional courage. Plus, just headlocking Howard and pinching his ear knocked Anthony's glasses off. Suppose Howard had fought back? And why didn't Anthony keep Howard where he was until police arrived? He seemed to think an apology was all that was called for, and I disagree.

And the Howard incident is constantly trumped as proof of Anthony's manliness being equal to Paul's or Warren's. Well, as a police officer, Paul must subdue thugs all the time, many of them intoxicated. And Warren cheats death on a regular basis. Anthony still has a long way to go in the "real man" department.

Heather, Philadelphia

I was very happy to see Anthony and Elizabeth finally get their timing right and become a couple. They have both always handled themselves in a very mature way and it does not surprise me how they are going about getting engaged. None of this needed hoopla for them, just a very grownup approach. If I was writing the acceptance of his daughter to Elizabeth I would have taken the same path that Lynn has taken. My oldest son, who also is a Michael, is the same age as Michael Patterson. Myself and my family of three children have grown up with the Patterson's right from the beginning and I have experienced glad times and sad with both my family and the comic strip family. To this day I start my day with Lynn's strip. It has been a part of my life since it's begining. Thank you Lynn for all these years of laughs and tears.

Janet, Tampa FL

I know people love the idea of true love forever between Anthony and Liz, in particular since Anthony never stopped loving Liz while married to another woman (which is a major red flag right there), but I'm having a hard time feeling it. Certainly, I can think of another instance of "true love while married to another woman," but I don't know who actually thinks it's romantic when the people involved are Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles.

Liz W, Ottawa

Uggh..."Should we look for a ring?" Way to be romantic Anthony! Do you read the negative comments and just PURPOSELY try to make him even MORE lame for our amusement? I guess Liz was always destined to be the pathetic desperate one in the family. Michael is the hopeless romantic who's courtship with his wife was magic and absolutely perfect (I re-read the strips involving their relationship constantly...that was PURE romance!) April has spunk, spirit and she's her own person and doesn't care what others think...Very admirable. Then there's Liz...who we all routed for and ends up the family DUD. The kid who struggled through glasses, thumb sucking, not fitting in and constantly trying to find herself has completely given up and settled for the one dork that finally won't cheat on her (because he's too much of a wet blanket to find anyone else) remember the strip where Anthony invites Liz over to hang out and she excitedly spends an hour getting dressed, doing her hair and putting on an attractive outfit, only to arrive at Anthony's and end up sitting there in his garage while he and his greasy pals work on his car, ignoring Liz who sits on a box in the corner looking frustrated? Yea...that's the guy she ends up with...Way to go Liz. But the strip IS called For Better or for Worse. Nobody's life is perfect and Liz definitely got "The worst" in that family. I DO love how true to life this strip is! I am obsessed!

Greg, Boston

Is that what Liz wants, to be known as "taken"??? My daughter thought she was an old maid by Liz's age and settled for that. The marriage was a disaster. She was thrilled and delighted with the ring and the engagement and the wedding.... the reality set in later...... and then the divorce..... and then five years of loneliness..... finally a real marriage when she was too old to have children..... is this what Lynn would want second best for her own daughter?

Karlie, Indiana

I read today's strip---red flag, red flag! What are you going to do next, Lynn? That's what I love-it's never quite what I expect!

Michelle, Cincinnati

I not only want to thank you, but applaud you for having the courage to tackle things in every day life that many won't or are afraid to do. Many of scenarios - aging parents, pets, children growing up - are handling with grace, dignity and humor. I have watched the Patterson's grow up for oh so many years and their life story captures the heart and puts what I see in life in to perspective. Keep telling the story..... it is a blessing and wonderful lesson in life.

Philip F, Jacksonville FL

Sigh.....when I seem to vaguely remember our decision to get married, I recall being poor as church mice and a nasty war being fought in SE Asia. But 37 years later, what most stands out in my mind is my husband's telling me how much he loved me and how I was (and still am) his best friend. I didn't get an "engagement" ring until 10 years later after the birth of our 2nd child, but he never neglected to tell me, often, that he loved me. He still tells me.....I wonder if either Liz or Anthony will ever think to say that to one another? When, and if, those words are spoken, will they be routine or true? I never regarded myself as "taken"; I regarded myself as "treasured" and "honored". To this day, I am in love with my best friend.

Jem, Massilon Ohio

It's about time a comic makes sense. Today to have an entire family that is close, has values and shows love towards each other - WOW it's a rarity. There are so many comic strips out there that make NO sense - to me this is the best. Also, thank you for finally getting Anthony and Liz together - I, for one am sooo glad they're happy. With all the sadness and nastiness in the world why not some REALLY happy endings. Thanks again.

Sue, Stratford CT

Good Morning Lynn:

I am skeptical about Liz and
Anthony's relationship that
bothers me. It seems that Liz
can not make up her mind as
to whom she loves. She was
head over heels in love with
Paul Wright and when she
found out that Paul had found
a renewed relationship with
another girl whom he had
known for a long time, she
had to hear the gossip from
Warren. From what I hear
from others that Warren was
the culprit for telling Liz
that her relationship with
Paul was over, Warren did
the right thing by being
honest and did not want to
see Liz hurt anymore.
Maybe Liz should have stayed
in Mitgwaki. She made a
mistake by going back home.
When families are apart, it
is tough to be separated but
Liz is old enough and
mature enough to know what
she really wants, or does
she? I don't think Anthony
is the one and possibly
another man will come into
her life. Maybe Paul will
return to Liz's life, who
knows?
Anyway, Lynn, keep up the
good work. Your story line
is just what every day life
is all about. It is a true
story. Thanks again.

Mary Ann, Port Charlotte

YEA!! Thanks Lynn for bringing Anthony and Elizabeth back together. There IS such a thing as true love and they are so lucky to have a chance to have a second chance. Therese was a selfish person who loved herself too much to love anyone else, even her own child. Anthony grew up into a kind thoughtful man who never stopped loving his first love and his best friend.

Elaine A, Wyoming

I've been reading the strip every day as long as I can remember, and enjoyed reading the monthly letters from everyone for a long time, but I only recently bothered to click on Coffee Talk. What strikes me as funny is how many people have an opinion on the storyline. It may seem silly, but I never thought about the strip as something someone (Lynn) was making up. It's always just been there, like real life. My aunt and I discuss the characters just like we'd discuss what's new with anyone else in the family. I suppose I think of Lynn as a muse for the characters who just tells it like it is. Lynn, thank you for spending so much of your life working on this comic strip!

Kendra, CA

Lynn, you quite often show us how things aren't comfortable or easy. So, I do look forward to what you are going to do next because you haven't disappointed our family yet.

While I thought the "proposal" was bland, there are times when things just evolve. It is what is right for them. They both blew it early on with each other, and them made mistakes with others. Now it seems like they both are working toward a common goal.

Life is not easy. Fireworks will fade. But how the embers are stoked and cared for will be the deciding factor in whether the relationship will succeed.

So, bring it on! Looking forward to what you are up to!!!

Joanie B, Central Fl

My 10-gallon Texas hat is off to Lynn for boldly going in the direction she choses.

Geoff, Texas

How old is Francie? Has she started school yet? Very young children are usually so emerged in their own immediate little world that they aren't aware of anything outside of that. That is to say, it seems to me that Daddy would be her whole world and that she is too young yet to comprehend the meaning of "family" or even to be aware that some children have two parents living in the same home rather than just one.

I've always thought that Lynn was right on target with children and their ages and abilities just like any mother would have and I've always enjoyed the strip, but things don't seem to be adding up where Francie is concerned, and there are an awful lot of us who do not care for Anthony. Did anyone show such strong feels when Michael married Deanna? She was a likeable, loveable, sensible young woman whereas Anthony seems to be kind of weak on character.

Karlie, Indiana

AT LAST!! A good man has finally snared that Lizzie!! They are ideal for each other I see the makings of a long and happy relationship. I have been married for nealy 40 years. Love this strip been following it since they were all kids at junior school.
Great work keep it up

Mike B, Brisbane Australia