Some parents might not seem cool to their kids, but that’s only because they didn’t know them when – most of us had a time in our lives, back before responsibilities and bills and kids, when we were infinitely cooler than we are now.

That said, some people were objectively bada$s, even back in the day – and these vintage images of parents (and grandparents) prove that point.

14. Men’s men.

The grandfather looks like an actor.

13. The 90s weren’t all bad.

Just ask Britney.

12. He looks as if he’s about to star on The Americans.

I love it.

11. What a perfect encapsulation of the 80s.

I could not love it more.

10. This picture tells a whole story.

Lovely.

9. I need to know her story.

Is it out there somewhere?

8. He’s got quite a smile.

It says a lot about him.

7. Wow, she was beautiful.

And more than that, brave.

6. You can guess the decade without a caption.

It’s just a classic.

5. Makes you reconsider any preconceptions.

It could have been taken anywhere, and she’s fabulous.

4. The car is kind of stealing the show.

I’m sure the dad was cool, though.

3. Her expression is my favorite part.

Though the clothes are a close second.

2. More than a little bit.

Look at that smolder!

1. There’s something about this picture that just draws you in.

What do you think it is?

I could look at pictures like these all day, honestly.

Did you have a super cool ancestor? Tell us about them in the comments!