As the years tick by, it’s natural for wrinkles to etch their presence onto our faces, as the youthful plumpness we once knew gradually wanes. This evolution is in the hands of our genes, dictating when these shifts unfold. Meet Carly, a real-life embodiment of this concept.
A true female version of Benjamin Button.
Hailing from Stockport, Manchester, Carly Johnson, a 40-year-old mother, frequently encounters the amusing mix-up of being taken for her 17-year-old daughter’s sibling. Playfully dubbed the female Benjamin Button by her friends, Carly finds herself navigating a maze of confusion when she’s out with her daughter, Kia Douglas, leading people to confuse their relationship as sisters or friends.
They choose to perceive these interactions as compliments.
Though Carly embraces this merry mix-up, she does admit feeling slightly awkward when men express interest in her attractive companion, who happens to be her own daughter.
In fact, she’s become somewhat of a magnet for younger men.
Having been single for two years, Carly tends to attract younger suitors, a situation she takes pleasure in due to her vibrant personality and fondness for a good time. Yet, she’s quick to clarify that her interests don’t lie in pursuing relationships with significantly younger individuals.
Her conviction lies in the power of her genes. She fondly recalls how hospital staff marveled at her grandmother, Betty Prendergast, who managed to maintain a youthful appearance well into her 90s, leaving people to believe she was decades younger, in her 70s.
With a chuckle, Carly shares, “People often liken me to Benjamin Button, saying I age in reverse. Looking young for my age has always been part of who I am. Even at 21, I probably looked 16.”
Her youthful appearance appears to be a family affair. Carly’s 68-year-old mother continues to exhibit youthful features, while her great-grandmother, who lived into her 90s, displayed an astonishing vitality that defied her age.
Look back at your old school yearbook or snapshots of your parents from their high school days. You might notice a contrast: they projected a more mature and serious demeanor, while you exude a timeless energy and youthful exuberance. This phenomenon can be chalked up to several logical reasons, ultimately proving that with the passage of time, the perception of youth seems to flourish.
