Reader’s Question:
I’m worried about the changes in my wife’s appearance. In her 20s and 30s, people said she resembled Akina Minami and Yuu Kashii, but now that she’s in her 40s, they say she looks like Becky. Should I be happy about this?
Reflections on My Wife’s Appearance Changes
Recently, I heard from a friend who was troubled about the
changes in his wife’s appearance. People used to say his wife resembled Akina Minami and Yuu Kashii in her 20s and 30s, but now that she is approaching her 40s, they say she looks like Becky. It was striking to see him grappling with whether this should be a cause for joy or concern.
Standards of Beauty Change
To be honest, I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing for the person one is compared to to change. Standards of beauty vary across different eras and cultures, and even the same facial features can leave different impressions as people age. Since Becky has a lively and cheerful image, perhaps it’s something to be happy about in that sense. I also recently discussed sweets I had with a friend. She laughed and said, “I used to be told I looked like XX when I was younger, but now they say I look like YY.” It was clear she was enjoying that transformation. Through our conversation, I was reminded that rather than worrying about changes in appearance, what truly matters is how we enjoy ourselves.
The Meaning of Resemblance
Whether the person one resembles is considered beautiful or not may not be very important. Ultimately, it’s just about resemblance, and it’s neither a compliment nor an insult. Regardless of how my friend’s wife has changed, her inner qualities and charm should remain unchanged. I hope he will value her for who she is, not just her appearance. I too have experienced something similar; friends have often asked me, “Have you gained weight recently?” which was a bit shocking. However, I realized that what’s more important than such remarks is the time spent together and the moments we share laughter. I want to prioritize the connections and memories we create over concerns about physical changes.
Share Your Experiences
Hearing this story, how do you all feel? If you have experienced concerns about changes in appearance or have insights from such experiences, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. It would be wonderful to contemplate together how we age and evolve.
