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I think relationships and marriage are supposed to be about friendship first and foremost. You do not abuse your best friend, or walk out on them. A best friend is a forever thing and I think that Liz and Anthony are best friends as no matter what has happened in each others life they have been there for each other and that is what marriage is all about

Mallory, Pickering

Well, at least John is consistent with his "Two down, one to go" crack. You've long depicted him as being too dumb to live so acting like he had a brain would be way out of character. It seems obvious that Anthony was the one that chose well and not he other way around. Like Elly before her, Liz will spend the rest of her life keeping a dunderhead from starving to death.

Anonymous, Southern New Brunswick

I have been reading FBorFW for years now, and I love it!I got hooked when I was pregnant with my first child, Willie. Ellie was expecting April at the same time. I can't remember when April came, but Willie arrived on April 22,1990. I have loved watching them "grow up together" over the years. My son thinks I;m crazy comparing him to a comic strip, but I think it's cool.It's like talking to an old friend every day!

Cindy, Salisbury MD

I am so happy to see Anthony and Elizabeth together. Elizabeth reminds me of my daughter Erin, and nothing would make me happier than to see her marry a man who is her best friend. Your strip means very much to me, thank you.

Theresa M, St. Louis Missouri

My name's Meg. I just turned 29 yesterday, and have been reading this strip and books since I was a teenager! I have all your books, Lynn! I always get one for Christmas.
Warren is such a jerk
(In my opinion!). He answered Liz's phone at 10 at night, w/out her permission, he doesn't listen or respect her.
Why would ANYONE want to be with someone like that.

I don't think that someone
who's nice is ALWAYS boring!
I'm engaged to the nicest,
sweetest, best guy I've ever known. I've known some jerks, and believe me, this guy I'm going to marry next year is a refreshing change!

AND, for that person who said Liz wasn't going to be a good Mom. (sometime ago!) I think she'll be an amazing Mom--after all, she HAS been a teacher for a LONG time!!!

Thanks Lynn, for getting Liz and Anthony together, and for making it realistic, and not too soupy, cheesy, or anything like that!
I think the way you wrote it
is of course perfect for those two! I remember Anthony being the first guy to actually notice Liz "that way!" Before him, Liz felt like this shy, "geeky"
teenager. Anthony really brought out some good change and personallity into Liz!

Meg, Maine

Lynn i love the strip where Elly found out about Liz and Anthony. It was just the way I throught it would be.I love the way she said "You'r Finally Engaged"lol as if she knew it was going to be Anthony all along that would win Liz's heart!I think that Elly and John where hoping for Anthony as much has I was all along,after all they what there girl to be happy and no one has made her as happy the Anthony :)

Great job Lynn keep up all of your hard work!

Bridget, New Glasgow NS

Why stick Liz with Anthony, I've always viewed him as a looser, she deserves better. What is wrong with Warren?(maybe I missed that strip). Guess I have a soft spot for pilots. Thanks for the opportunity to have my say.

Jack L, Poughkeepsie, NY

PLEASE stop that sickening Liz-Anthony storyline. We get it already. Liz has turned into Anthony. Or maybe a Stepford Wife.

GC, Hawaii

I don't know why people keep saying that Elizabeth needs some excitement, drama, travel, etc...first before settling down. She's already had a lot of drama with her other boyfriends, and she had helicopter/airplane rides, and she lived in a remote place for a while too. I think maybe she'd be tired of all that and be ready to settle down with her old friend-turned-lover and have some stability.

Katie, Minnesota

John and Elly need to give themselves a slap. "An overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment" because their daughter finally caught her high school boyfriend? Are you not supposed to be proud of your children until they get married? How depressing. What if they find the fricking cure for cancer but remain single? I am already proud of my children for their accomplishments and none of them are married.

Ann, Alberta

My daughter, Elizabeth, grew up along with Elizabeth Patterson...and is also a teacher & newlywed now! I am so excited at the engagement of Liz and Anthony. FBorFW is the most welcome part of my morning routine! Thanks, Lynn!

Maria D, Conneticut

Ok, I have to admit: Anthony seems like a nice guy but as other readers have said here Lynn, hes pretty dull and so is Liz. The thing is, for quite awhile Liz seemed to be going places(Mtigwaki, Paul)but since you had her leave Mtigwaki, she has gone from very interesting to yawncity. Andnow she has gone back to Anthony, which I dont think she really cares for him but instead has a habit for him, which are two TOTALLY different things. Come on Lynn, I know you can do better then that. I read your comic strip for years now and Im starting to lose some interest. Spice it up a bit, will ya?

Angela K, Penticton BC

I'm so happy that Elizabeth and Anthony are getting together. Marriage should be based on friendship. Others may say boring, but I say stable, warm and protected. Isn't that love?

Barbara T, Keswick ON

UGH on the picking -out-the-ring scenario-- so Anthony picks out the ring HE likes, even though he and Liz are supposedly shopping together-- I'm sure it's the cheapest and most dull ring too-- just like their relationship--- and when they tell dear old Mom-- " Finally, you're engaged!" (Gee thanks, Mom!) " I was HOPING you'd get together! (Yes, especially after Elly made sure to push Liz in Anthony's way every time Liz came home, hoping and meddling for him to forsake his marriage vows)-- I used to admire this family. Now they just seem like selfish people. As for those who think posters who hate the idea of Liz and Anthony "just want to sow their wild oats"-- I'm happily married and think their relationship is just plain dull, stupid and pointless!

Liz D, Texas

"You're engaged! You're *finally* engaged!"

Elizabeth is not yet 27 years old. It's not like she's past her "sell by" date! Is this the same Elly who criticized her daughter in high school for getting too serious and spending too much time with Anthony?

And don't you usually wait until both your parents are in the room together before breaking the news of an engagement?

Melody, Pittsburgh

I hope that daydream that Elly had of Elizabeth walking down the stairs/aisle in her wedding dress does not mean that she will be going overboard. Please let her remember how Mira acted while planning Deanna and Michael's wedding and not go in the same direction.

Suzanne R, West Suffield, CT

Ten years ago, I lived on another continent, in another culture, and every day was an adventure -- just surviving, taking care of my growing family, and doing what I was sent there to do.

Then, I got a call. I was invited to come back to where I used to live, to make my life more predictable, and to get rid of the constant stress of my daily challenges.

I'm now trapped in that "old" life again, and this time I can't get out. I don't wake up any morning without regretting the decision I made, and the fulfilling life I gave up to make things easier on my family and myself.

As I see Liz doing the same thing, I groan for her, and where she will be in ten years. She was actually worth someting in Mtigwaki, and had some purpose in life. All she's got left to show for it is a spoiled cat.

It's only a comic strip, I know, but in real life, she's really made a mess, and she's about to make it worse. She will truly hate herself in ten years or less.

Luke, Texas

Hi, all,
The first part of the paper I read is FBOFW! It's a kinder, gentler soap opera. I was hoping Anthony and Liz would have a WOW engagement, but they did what my husband and I did...went shopping on his lunch hour!!!
My biggest concern is Warren...I'm worried that he'll come back and do something more than overstay a welcome!!!

Nancy, Leominster, MA

Anthony reminds me of John. He's a sweet, caring family guy.

Christine K, Lynnfield MA

Thanks for keeping your strip real, relevant and positive over all these years. As a 30 yr old who has seen it all, I've found comfort in your storylines for the past 20 yrs.Speaking as a true romantic, it's nice to have faith that some relationships, however fictional, can bring such hope. Looking forward to reading your strip for another 30 years, Lynn!

Deb, Washington DC

Lynn, thank you for bringing Liz and Anthony together at last. Liz's comment about being "taken" is a modern term, one that my own daughters would use. I like that they do things in their own understated ways like two good friends comfortable with each other would do. Francie is just right, too. She is self interested the way a child always is, but willing to reach outward to others, too. Great story! KW

Karin W, Salt Spring Island

Are Anthony and Liz truly in love? I think "I love you" needs to be declared. And I'm a little disappointed that Elizabeth didn't get to choose her ring. I feel like Anthony did that for her instead of with her. I'm not sure about this relationship. I hope Liz doesn't get hurt.

I enjoy this family and look forward to each day's strip so much that I cheat and read it on-line while at work instead of waiting until I get home to read it in the paper.

Jill, Georgia

HOORAY! This is great! I think Liz's hair looks beter hanging down. And without her glasses.A LOT better.

Jessie, Trenton ON

FBorFW is the first thing I click on every morning. We have been fulltime RVers for 12 years and back when we started I was apprehensive traveling about because I feared I would not find a newspaper everyday to read the only comic strip I read. It was a happy day years ago when I found FBorFW online!

As my four sons have grown up I have always wondered if you lived in my neighborhoods ...in Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, Utah, California. You are quintessential in recognizing and solving real life situations and problems. My #4 son is Michaels age with a 'Meredith' (Katie) and a 'Robin' (Gavin) as well as a step son with incredibly similar situations over the years.

There is more to joining a ready-made family than passion and romance. Liz shows wisdom in stepping back from 'Francie situations' a bit when Anthony or Therese enter the scene instead of becoming a wedge between them and forcing the kidlet to make a decision.

And lucky me. I've lived to be old enough to realize that the way things are is the way they are meant to be... and I couldn't have done it as well without FBorFW.
Thanks, Lynn. I know whatever you have in store for wonderful Liz will be the right thing for her in the end. And, Lynn, please keep your wonderful creativity in the strip ... at least until I can no longer push the 'on' button on my computer each morning and click on FBorFW in my menu bar.

Fran C, Lancaster and Yuba City, CA, USA

I have no words to match your gift to us. No words to match the thoughts, art, characters or family moments that come from a news paper comic strip every day. Save the ones that mean the most, Thank you

Robert, Philadelphia