It’s Friday night-1994

[Cositseleventhirtyandtheclubisjumpinjumpin]

How old are you, what are you doing?

I’m 16, almost due to do GCSE’s and have an amazing summer, only bettered by summer of 1995, the following year.
I’m out, either at a house party or drinking in the park or around the village. I spent ages getting ready in crop top or maybe a body, oversized denim or check shirt, usually tied around my waist, kickers & jeans. Hair long and wavy, coffee shimmer lipstick, bronzer and heavy eyeliner. Met up with the other four friends in our group to drink vodka or cider, smoke Embassy number one and probably some weed later on. Excitement’s in the air as it is every Friday night, we’ll probably meet up with the boys two years above us, maybe drive around in cars, possibly go with one of them (snog/kiss) but the most fun part is when all five of us girls get drunk together and howl with laughter, rarely has there been friendships as precious as those early ones.

This Friday night-I’m 48, lay in bed next to my sleeping 7 year old, live abroad and am a sensible adult.

I’m in Cyprus working as a Holiday Rep, it’s the first week of the summer season. I’m probably in a bar with my pals.

I was also working in a record shop in 1994( having failed to 'get a proper job ' post degree- stayed nearly 6 years).

I loved it. But I couldn't admit that,, because it wasn't a proper job.
even though , in 1995, that job got me a mortgage.

Fuck me, I would love to go back to that job now.

I'm a student, probably working in my room because I led a sad, dull existence even back then.

I was 19, just finishing my first year at uni. We’d be at the jcr bar for 4 pints of snake bite and black and several silk cut. Then off to Central Park/ritzy then home via the kebab shop.

23, out nightclubbing with my rather nice new boyfriend, who’s now at the sink washing up 🤣.

I was 38 and pregnant with my fourth baby.

He's 31 now and 6' 4".

I was 15. Most likely in bed reading or drawing while listening to Enya on my Walkman, and imagining it was actually the 18th century. Now I'm in bed listening to my own 15 year old arguing with the cat in her room. I don't draw anymore but I do occasionally listen to Enya and imagine it's the 18th century😄

I was 30 and very pregnant with my first child, my 2 step children and their mum had moved in with us early April 1994. She was on palliative care and the children lived with us most of the time. We decided it was best for all of us for her to see her last weeks living with her babies and settling them into their forever home.

I had my baby 3 weeks later and she was with the children at home whilst DH took me to the hospital. We had a wonderful 3 weeks with the baby and a very full house before we lost her,

may 1994 was a very emotional time. She became my best friend, started out being polite with each other, but she was just his ex. I miss her terribly and her children have grown into such amazing people.

Oh my, that made me tear up. You sound lovely. Both of you.

It’s a Friday night in the summer of 1994… I’m 21 and have just landed in London from New Zealand on my OE, a two-year working visa and a whole lot of excitement.

It’s one of those warm, golden evenings that seems to last forever. We’re down at the pubs along the river, drinks in hand, usually snakebites or lager and lime, smoking Marlboro lights - soaking up the buzz of being young and completely free. Some nights we’d head into the city to that Long Island Iced Tea bar and order mudslides.

I was nannying in Notting Hill, and it felt like half of my friends from home were there too. There was always someone to meet, somewhere to go, something happening. It was carefree, chaotic, and honestly just magic.

Fast forward to now, mid-50s, three kids, living in Sydney. Life looks very different, but I still love a Friday night drink. Some things don’t change.

And the friend I went over with? She never left, still living in London all these years later.

I was 6, most likely at my best friends house, she lived across the landing from me. Our dads were most likely drinking. Or we were on the landing with all our teddies and blankets playing some sort of shop game 😁

I’d be at band practice (not a euphuism)

It was mint.

Wearing leggings and slouch socks.

Oh how I miss sitting round a table drinking, laughing and smoking

Oh god me too

I'm 31 years old.
I'm home alone with my DC asleep while their father, my then husband, is either out drinking or eating with his friends.
Roll on December 1994, when the marriage finally ends.

I was also 16. I lived in a flat share in my nearest town to where I grew up in Sweden, which was about 95 miles away. I was into grunge and was probably getting drunk with the people from the art and circus school. We’d listen to music and be all deep and stuff. Interesting times.

Same age as you but I was probably revising and then watching something like 2.4 children on bbc one with my parents 🤦‍♀️ tonight I’ve watched Beyond Paradise so not changed that much 😂😂

17yo, at a nightclub, buzzing, raving and misbehaving 🤣

Yes 😂

I'm 37 and pregnant with my 2nd child

And now?!

In the student bar at the LSE with my new boyfriend enjoying a bacardi and coke.
Been out with him this evening for considerably more expensive drinks in much nicer surroundings.

I was 4, so I was probably wearing a ridiculous get-up of a matching hat and dress with many layers of petticoat and amusing adults by being absurdly precocious.

I was 17 month away from first alevel. Still likely to have been in the pub on Friday night or at a gig. Have work on Saturday but not until 1pm.

Tonight am watching Netflix, living alone, enjoying the warm evening. Going out early tomorrow, so taking it easy tonight.