Our parents weren't always parents. Yes, I know, that sounds self-explanatory, but let that sink in. Before these people were changing our diapers, they were young, wild, and free to do whatever they desired. In many cases, their old lives were even more impressive than our current ones. Building motorcycles, stopping bank robberies... It's one thing to hear those stories, but it's another to see photographic proof.

Surprised by and proud of their parents' past, people are sharing photos of their moms and dads on the subreddit r/OldSchoolCool. So continue scrolling to take a trip back in time to when they were rocking leather jackets and high-waisted jeans and when you're done, check out similar Bored Panda articles here and here.

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#1

My Mama Circa '83. This Explains Why I'm The Uncoolest Person Ever, Cos She Took It All! Oh And That Bike? She Built It

Person in a leather jacket leaning on a red Yamaha motorcycle, showcasing cool parents from the past.

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    My Mother When She Was A Tank Instructor In 1984

    A young woman wearing a helmet, inside a military vehicle, exemplifying parents cooler than their kids.

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    #3

    My Mom Would Always Talk About How She Was An Editor For Tiger Beat Magazine When She Was A Teenager In The 1960’s. She Would Brag About Spending Time With The Stones And The Beatles. We Always Thought She Was Telling Tall Tales. Uncovered This Pic Cleaning Out Her House Last Week

    Vintage black-and-white photo of people in a rustic room, embodying cool vibes and style from a past era.

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    #4

    Late 1960s, My Dad

    Cool parent riding a motorcycle barefoot, exuding retro style and confidence.

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    #5

    My Dad Made Anything Look Cool (1981)

    Person sitting in a vintage aircraft cockpit, showcasing a cool and adventurous parental lifestyle.

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    #6

    My Dad Skateboarding At Hyde School 1982. I Think He Was Cooler Than Me

    A man skateboarding in a suit while holding a briefcase, showcasing cooler parents' style and daring.

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    #7

    My Dad Sculpting A Bust Of My Mom, 1980s

    "Parent sculpting a bust in a dim room, showcasing creativity and coolness."

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    #8

    My Dad And Friends Look Like The Cast Of Stranger Things (1982)

    Children sitting on a carpet in a cozy living room, reminiscent of cool parents' era.

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    #9

    My Mom, 1954. She Came To America In 1948 At Age 18. She Hardly Spoke English And Was Looked Down On Because She Was German And A War Bride. She Later Did Some Modeling - This Is Just One Of Many Beautiful Photos We Have Of Her

    Vintage photo of a woman with curled hair wearing an off-shoulder dress and necklace, highlighting parents' cool style.

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    #10

    My Mom In ‘78, Glendale, Ca. Newly Immigrated From Japan And Working -But Still Managed To Save Up And Buy This Chevy Impala For $500

    A woman sitting confidently on a vintage red car, showcasing cooler parental style from the past.

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    #11

    My Mom Looking Like A Queen On Her Wedding Day 1979

    Vintage photo of a woman in a white dress sitting on a wicker chair, showcasing cool parents.

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    #12

    France, 1985. My Mom Feeding Me Backstage During A Ballet Dancing Show

    Woman in costume feeding baby with bottle, illustrating cooler parents from the past.

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    #13

    My Pregnant Mom At Gunpoint Trying To Get Home. May 1969, Berkeley

    Cool parents: Woman bravely facing armed soldiers, demonstrating courage and defiance.

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    #14

    Mom, Circa 1970, After Completing Her Master's, The First Woman In Her Family To Do So

    A woman in a graduation gown holding a diploma, showcasing parents cooler than their children.

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    #15

    My Mother Skateboarding Barefoot In California, 1974

    Vintage photo of a young woman skateboarding barefoot, exuding cool confidence.

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    #16

    My Mom Was A Boston Park Ranger In The 80s

    Young woman in a ranger uniform with a horse, showing her parents were cooler.

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    #17

    My Mom And Dad Building Their House In 1953. My Mom (91 Now) Still Lives There

    Vintage photos showing parents building a house, illustrating a cooler past compared to the present.

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    #18

    My Mom's All Girl Rock Band In The 60's

    Four women with instruments, part of a band called "The Intricate Blend," highlighting parents cooler than their kids.

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    #19

    My Dad In The Late 80s / Early 90s. One Of The First Rockers In China

    Person playing guitar on stage, capturing a cool moment from the past.

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    #20

    My Dad Was A Popstar In Argentina. Here He Is With Ella Fitzgerald, Mid 1960s

    Vintage photo of two people conversing, capturing a moment of cool vintage style and charm.

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    #21

    My Mom Working As A Dj, Late 1970s

    Person sitting casually in a vintage recording studio, showcasing cool retro style and attitude.

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    #22

    Me Looking Up To My Fighter Pilot Dad In The Late 1980's

    A man in a pilot uniform talks on a phone, while a child looks up at him, showcasing cool parents.

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    #23

    My Dad At The 1966 International Science Fair. He Was A Finalist In 65, 66, And 67. In This Picture He Created A Perfusion System To Keep A Rat Kidney Alive When Removed From The Body, Like A Heart-Lung Machine

    Young person presenting a kidney physiology project, showcasing parents being cooler through scientific achievement.

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    #24

    My Mom And Bob Ross During An Event In Central Park, NYC In 1989

    A man with an afro and a woman smiling outdoors; cool parents from the past.

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    #25

    My Parents When They Were 16 And 17 (1987). They’ve Been Together For 34 Years Now

    A young couple with cool 80s style embraces, the man wearing a Batman shirt, sharing a moment with vibrant hairstyles.

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    #26

    My Mom In The Early 90s. She Painted Her Own Shield

    A person dressed as a knight holding a sword and shield, capturing a cool parent moment in medieval attire.

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    #27

    My Mom And Arnold On A Date In The 70s

    Vintage photo of a stylish couple smiling; parents looking cool and confident together.

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    #28

    My Cool Mom Partying With Robin Williams And Billy Crystal In LA, 1982

    Group of three friends smiling together at a casual gathering, capturing a cool moment with vintage style.

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    #29

    My Dad Taking A Selfie, Using A Piece Of Wood To Activate The Shutter, Circa 1957

    Vintage photo of a young man outdoors, showcasing cool retro style.

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    #30

    My Dad Wasn't Famous, But His Moves Were Pretty Cool (1977)

    Person doing a handstand on a skateboard in the street, showcasing cool skills.

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    #31

    My Dad And His Partner While They Were Undercover. This Picture Was Taken After They Stopped A Bank Robbery In The Late 70s

    Two men in vintage jackets and sunglasses, standing confidently and showcasing cool style from a past era.

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    #32

    My Dad In Saudi Arabia In The 70's Working As A Us Military Contractor Diving In The Red Sea

    A man with cool vintage diving gear, holding a helmet, standing outdoors with power lines in the background.

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    #33

    My Dad's First Car, A 1939 Ford. He Bought It With His Own Money That He Earned While Farming. He Was 11 When He Bought It, So This Photo Was Taken In 1948

    Vintage photo of a young boy leaning against a classic car, showcasing cool parents from a bygone era.

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    #34

    My Dad Showing Mr. Rogers The Process Of Designing Toys On Mr. Rogers Neighborhood (1986)

    Two men engaged in a discussion at a design table, illustrating parents cooler than their children.

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    #35

    My Mom Immigrated To The US From Iran In November, 1978. Here She Is Dressed As Wonder Woman A Year Later

    A woman in a Wonder Woman costume surrounded by children at a party, showcasing cool parents of the past.

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    #36

    My Dad Taking A Smoking Break While Fighting Saddam Husseins Army In The 80s

    Man outdoors in vintage attire lighting a cigarette, showcasing cool parents.

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    #37

    Mom Wasn't The Pilot, But She Was A Tech On The F-4 Phantom Back In The 80's

    A person wearing headphones in a cockpit, showing parents were cooler than their children.

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    #38

    Mom’s Senior Portrait That My Grandma Refused To Let Her Publish In The Year Book (1976)

    Graduation photo of a student with sunglasses and a cigarette, holding a bouquet of red roses, showcasing cool parents.

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    #39

    My Dad 1969 Bronx, NY. Speaking Against The Vietnam War

    A person in a suit speaking into a microphone atop a scaffold, embodying a cooler vibe from a past generation.

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    #40

    My Dad (Left) Looking Like A Young Luke Skywalker, Chile, 1977

    A group of young adults at a beach, embodying a cool retro vibe from the past.

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    #41

    Mid To Late 1970s, My Dad Graduating A Class Taught By Chuck Norris

    Two people shaking hands on stage, one in a karate uniform, capturing a cool moment from the past.

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    #42

    My Dad's Graduation Photo. Circa 1970's

    Man in a white suit and top hat sitting with a dog in a field, showcasing cool vintage style.

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    #43

    My Dad And A Tiny Kitten Looking Like A Modern Hipster In The Early 1980s

    Man wearing sunglasses and a red cap with a kitten peeking from his red vest pocket, showcasing his cooler parent's style.

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    #44

    My Mom At 16 Yrs Old With Her Camaro In 1975

    Woman sitting on a yellow vintage car, showcasing how parents can be cooler with retro style.

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    #45

    My Mom Voting For The First Time In A Presidential Election In 1972 In Indiana, Pa

    Young woman in a flannel shirt voting with a ballot box labeled "Indiana," showcasing her cool style.

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    #46

    I Always Knew My Mom Was A Tough Lady. Photo Taken Circa 1985

    Someone with a mohawk and earrings, smoking and displaying 80s punk style, showcasing parents cooler than their kids.

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