These 40 Side-By-Side Pics Prove That Change Isn’t Always a Bad Thing

Time has a quiet yet powerful way of changing everything—people, places, objects, and even entire cultures. The subreddit r/PastAndPresentPics captures this beautifully through side-by-side photos that compare “then” and “now.” From decades-old childhood snapshots recreated as adults to urban streets that have evolved (or crumbled) over time, this online space offers a nostalgic, emotional, and often jaw-dropping look at how things change—and what still remains.

With over 800,000 members, the subreddit is a digital time capsule where users from all over the world share images that tell personal, historical, or environmental stories. The concept is simple but powerful: post two pictures—one from the past and one from the present—of the same subject or place.

#1 Nana And Pop’s 70 Years Of Love

Image source: eeekybeeky

On Tuesday, I lost my Pop, one of the most gentle and kind men I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. He loved my grandma (nana) so deeply and purely since they were so young. Married for 70 years. Nana just turned 90 last month, and after loving someone for so long, I know she’ll never be the same without him. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him. I love you Pop, rest in peace.

#2 My Brother And I, 19 Years Apart

Image source: futuremrscjl

#3 15 To 34

Image source: chosenbon

Met on MSN back in 2006, he used to travel 3 hours every weekend to come and see me before we moved in together about 3 years later. Now we own a house and a cat together and he’s still my favourite person in the world.

#4 My Parents In The 1970s And In Their 70s

Image source: macpesce

#5 28 To 42, How Am I Doing?

Image source: AbleDepartment648

#6 My Late Father Holding 8 Month Old Me In 1991 And Sleeping With My Son At The Same Age In 2021

Image source: _darksoul89

#7 Cajun Boy Meets And Eventually Marries Canadian Girl He Was Pen Pals With (1994 & 2025)

Our names got matched in an international penpal fair when each of us was in the eighth grade. When I got approval for an exchange program from Louisiana State University to actually attend a university that happened to be in her hometown, we realized we had more in common than just what we wrote about.
Fast-forward 35 years later, and we are happily married, and have been for nearly 25 years, and we’ve got three kids that we’ve added to the home since then.

Image source: SpiritGrocer

#8 1996 To 2022

Image source: DocMcFortuite

#9 1989 Dating As Teenagers And 35 Years Later Christmas 2024 With Our Five Sons

Image source: Mauimama5

#10 1976 And 2025

My parents and me! They were 20 and 21 when they had me. They are the best parents I could have a hoped for. They had one more kid after me, with 9 grandkids, 6 greats and counting. It’s been an amazing nearly 50 years so far.

Image source: flipflopslipslop75

#11 My Parents In 1984 vs. 2024, They Have Been Married For 41 Years!

Image source: soph_l

#12 Us Together; 2001 & 2025

Here we are on a chaperoned date in the back seat of his parents’ car, aged 14 & 16; next pic is us about to walk into his 40th birthday surprise party. Together since 1999, married for 16 years, two beautiful children. I’m so grateful for him!

Image source: CalculatedWhisk

#13 1997 To 2025

Image source: kingdoe

#14 2005 & 2025

Image source: Jwooten14

#15 Me, Mum, And Sister 35 Years Later

Image source: covinjo

#16 My Mother, 1966 And 2022

Image source: chamokis

#17 My Wife And I: 2004 And 2025

Image source: aliveandwellthanks

#18 My Parents. 1992-2024

Image source: Strong-Baby1966

#19 1988 To 2024

Image source: StageForsaken4452

#20 My Parents: 1971 To 2022

Image source: wildfactor15

#21 My Parents 1973 To 2025, 52 Years Of Marriage Yesterday 2/14. They Eloped And Got Married At The Court House

Image source: nunu6k

#22 Valentine’s Day 1995 And 2025

Image source: GeddysPal

#23 My Daughter And Myself Exactly 13 Years Apart

Image source: NateTrib

#24 Nonno Nino

Image source: The_Rat_Mom

#25 From 16 To 32!

Image source: Stockasaurus_Rex

#26 2007 To 2025

Image source: mgdandme

#27 My Dad, 23y/45y/55y

Image source: noquarter_norma

#28 Over 30 Years Of Friendship. My Best Friend And I At 20y, 33y, And 50y

Image source: MadamBey

#29 Still Riding 40 Years Later – 1984 -> 2024

Image source: ZarrenR

#30 19 Years Of Friendship! My Best Friend And I At 12, 16, 21, 26, And 30 💕

We are both pregnant in the last picture! Her third child and my first, both girls. We hope they will be close friends too. I just recently moved back to my hometown and we are now living close to each other for the first time in many years! Very grateful for her friendship in all its iterations.