40 Then-Vs-Now Photos That Prove Growing Up Can Be Pretty Amazing
Growing up isn’t just about getting older, it’s about change, perspective, and all the moments that quietly shape who we become. From childhood snapshots to present-day recreations, then-vs-now photos capture the passage of time in a way that’s both deeply personal and universally relatable.
The internet community has been sharing side-by-side images that show just how much can change over the years, and how surprisingly beautiful that transformation can be. We have collected some then-vs-now photos that prove growing up can be pretty amazing. Take a look and enjoy!
#1 He’s Been Making Me Laugh For 20 Years. 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020, 2025
Image source: rat-snitch-syd
#2 My Husband And I. Since March 2023, We Have Lost A Combined 250 Pounds
Image source: NotHaolmi
#3 Kinda Proud Of My Progress. Left Is From Oct 2022. Right Is From This New Years Eve. Down 80 Pounds. From A 44″ To A 34″ And From A 3xl Shirt To An Xl. Pretty Stoked
Image source: vanzir
#4 On What Would Have Been Her 95th Birthday, My Mom Over The Years
Image source: SFO_Dan
#5 My Beautiful Nana And Papa Married In 1960 To Today
Image source: theoreticaltoad
#6 Grandpa At 15 And 79
Image source: James_Tiberius
Grandpa merchant marine ID after joining at age 15. Followed by a picture of him at 79.
#7 2007, 2014, 2024
Image source: andmat06
#8 I Hit 10 Years Sober Last Year! From Battling Alcoholism (30 Yrs Old) To Sober (41 Yrs Old)🤘
Image source: Ok-Revolution4276
#9 I Kept The Dimple And Gained A Cat
Image source: biegman
#10 6 Weeks, 15 Years. Gonna Cross The Rainbow Bridge Next Week
Image source: Al_Kydah
#11 My Dad In 1953 And My Daughter In 2024 Wearing The Same Kilt
Image source: Boscoberger
#12 My Bestie, Mig, And I In 2012 And Yesterday
Image source: kooriwi
#13 Then And Now…
Image source: TrashPanda2079
I’m still hard on myself thinking I’m still a big person (dumb lizard brain), but when I really sit and think about it, I am proud of myself. I’ve maintained my lowest weight for 3 1/2 years now. I started at around 340 pounds, today I sit at around 183 pounds.
#14 Me And My Son, 2006, 2016, 2021, 2023
Image source: Tronofake
#15 1972, The Year We Met And 2024
Image source: Ancient_Timer2053
#16 The First And Last Photo With My Jimmy (2011/2022)
Image source: Boscoberger
#17 Childhood Friendship 1992-Present
Image source: cosmiclocs
We are literally ten days apart in age and have been friends since before I can even remember. A bond I’ll always cherish.
#18 70 Year Span-My Grandma Ages 18 And 88
Image source: anonymouslovelyme
#19 My Dad And His Siblings In 1968 And In 2024
Image source: Acidflightgoat
#20 My Mom And Me, 50 Years Apart 1973-2023
Image source: anonymouslovelyme
#21 Another Post! Get This: I Work At The Same Place Dad Did (Different Roles), 50 Years Apart (Dad, C. 1975; Me, 2025)
Image source: beefstewisonthemenu
#22 1995 & 2024. 25 & 19 To 54 & 48
Image source: Gijinbrotha
#23 My Grandmother At 15, 20, 35, 50, 60 And 66
Image source: yanwangdijuns
#24 My Husband And His Dad, And My Husband And Our Son
Image source: Severe_Ad336
#25 My Mom And Her Parents (1982) // Me And My Parents (2009)
Image source: axolotls_anon
#26 My Mom At 17 Or 18 And At 83
Image source: nimbusdimbus
#27 My Parents 50 Years Marriage
Image source: AdvertisingPlane6865
#28 My Mum And Me (1990) Me And My Daughter (2023) 🥰🥰
Image source: Severe-Marsupial-727
#29 One Of The 1st Photos With My Maternal Grandma And One Of The Last 1985 & 2024
Image source: EstelSnape
#30 My Parents, On Their Honeymoon In 1941, And In Their Last Photo, In 1985. They Were Childhood Sweethearts, Meeting At Age 7 In 1923
Image source: janemfraser
#31 Me At 22 And 57
Image source: Penguinz90
I married my high school sweetheart (married 34 years), had 4 kids, beat breast cancer and just had my 4th spinal fusion surgery almost 3 months ago. I’m a tough old bird!
#32 The First Pic Of My Wife And I Together (2004) And The Most Recent (2025). We’ve Been Together 21 Years This Month! Mid-20s To Mid-40s
Image source: WWEngineer
#33 Induction To Retirement
Image source: Technical-Teacher-31
#34 Me And My Wife (Then Girlfriend) In College In 1981 And A Few Months Ago. Married 42 Years
Image source: Former-LIer
#35 The Day I Was Born 69 Years Ago & Today!
Image source: Right0rightoh
#36 My Grandad From 1941 Till 2019
Image source: WayfaringStranger16
An Engineer who loved fishing, model boat building and smoking. Fortunately, he managed to quit that last one. As a kid, I thought he had been a pirate due to him wearing his hair in a ponytail and sporting an eye patch. The last photos was the last time I saw him reasonably well before his cancer settled in. He was married for 54 years, has two adopted children and had six grandchildren.
#37 Me And My Little Bro Through The Years
Image source: WRISTvsREWARD
#38 My Wife And I At Her High School Prom, 2009 And 2023. Married 27.5 Years Now
Image source: tukai1976
#39 ❤️me & Hubby 2001 -2024 ❤️
Image source: Cameryn24
#40 ‘93 (14 & 16)/ ‘24 (47 & 45)
Image source: Twylite831
Got wisdom to pour?