Fatherhood Takes Its Toll

Look-alikes now?

Last night at a soccer banquet for Troglotyke #3, one of the varsity players walked up to me while I was standing in the buffet line and asked, "Has anyone ever told you that you look like Mitt Romney?" So, yes, what first started a year ago is still happening and on a pretty regular basis these days.

Now, I don't have a problem with people saying I resemble Mr. Romney, after all, there are plenty worse people to be compared to. What is a little distressing, however, is that 25 years ago people used to tell me I looked like Tom Cruise. When I had my hair cut short I could kinda see it. And I can't just dismiss it. It's not like the only time was that smokin' hottie in Panama City trying to make her Division I boyfriend jealous while I was shooting pool one night in a bar during our spring baseball trip. To be clear, I'm talking about the Top Gun Tom Cruise, not the Legend Tom Cruise, or the Color of Money Tom Cruise. Hey, I was a college athlete and benching 275 pounds as part of my regular work-out and squatting 400. A beach volleyball scene was not a ridiculous proposition. This happened a lot. Seriously. All. The. Time.

My look-alike 25 years ago?
Image: Paramount Pictures

Here's the thing. I was 20-21 years old when this was happening and Cruise was like 23 years old when Top Gun was filmed. So early 20's to early 20's. I'm in my mid-40's now and Mitt Romney is 65. So in less than 25 years I appear to have aged 45 years. Nice.

Back then I was dating the woman who is now my wife. And I was interning at the company where I am still currently employed. So what's different? Why have I aged 45 years in 25 years? I have to pin this one on the kids.