Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for December 15, 2017

Oh, Toni wanted to keep her wedding anniversary to Brad simple, huh?

“Mission: Cleared.”

“George Jetson” on the far right.

KATHRYNHILDEBRANDT nailed it!

None of the rest of us figured it out so quickly.

In the second panel, from the back, Brad looks like he’s just been introduced to his own firing squad.

.

Don’t be sad, Brad – I bet Toni will be very happy with the foot spa. So far, she does not seem to go for fancy things.

A surprise anniversary party for Broni (Brad and Toni). That’s a relief. For a moment there I thought it was a party for male fans of the My Little Pony show.

This is great, and as I point out all the time a perfect Greg Evans misdirection play. They all were in on it, such a nice surprise. Very sweet, they all care so much, from TJ whom some here excoriate so much to the DeGroots, their firehouse crew, and of course Toni. Who predicted this surprise? No one I bet.

In the past few days, several posters have been dissing TJ profusely, and saying he should move out.

But in the past several years that I’ve been reading, TJ has done nothing but good things. (People suspected his truck blowup might have been intentional, but no proof. And that’s the last questionable thing.)

He really shut down Ann Eiffel.

He remodeled the house, and Toni says he’s a great cook for them.

And now this. Before dissing TJ again, people should wait until he does something really bad. And I suspect he won’t. That’s just not where the Evanses are taking him.

Good job, TJ. You played your part perfectly. WHATAGUY.

The foot spaaaaah box rotated 90 degrees counter – clockwise somewhere between the front door and where Brad stopped in front of Toni.

Congrats to the people who saw this coming!

So Brad has family and they both have fire dept buddies. No one else. Toni needs a girl buddy. Would be interesting to see if Toni & Tara meet and hit it off.

KATHRYNHILDERBRANDT got it right on the 13th. She predicted that this was what TJ was up to. All you naysayers should be ashamed. You are not worthy in her presence!

Ugh, Inappropriate Joke Guy is there?And not being married I wouldn’t know, but is it really a thing to hold anniversary parties with lots of guests? I always imagined it as a time meant for the couple alone. But whatever floats their boat, I guess.

Well, surprise, surprise. TJ pulled off a good one, after all.

Okay, OKAY.

I’m gonna to be Uncharacteristically “Nice” today and Ignore the handful of “TJ Apologists,” noisily beating Their Collective Chests with “Joy” today.

Nope. I’m just gonna Wish Brad and Toni a Happy First Anniversary, with Many, MANY More to Come.

It would have NICER if those two could have spent Their 1st Anniversary A-L-O-N-E, Free to Celebrate and Explore each other WITHOUT an Annoying Roommate nearby that “folks” just LOVE to make Excuses for. But, that’s not My call.

Oh Waitperson? COFFEE Please. In Fact, COFFEE for Everbody, In Celebration of Brad and Toni!

My Treat……,

Don’t know why anybody would have an anniversary party. More two is a crowd.

I’m a little peeved at Brad saying “Thanks for making me waste two hours at the mall.” He didn’t. You’re an autonomous grown-up. YOU decided to spend two hours of your anniversary at the mall.

Congrats to those who called it! I was expecting a disaster.

Eddie Haskel that scamp. Er, I mean T.J.

Brad’s lucky that it wasn’t these guys doing the well-wishing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf8ZAMRO1DU

“Happy Annifirstary”

“The First Year Of The Rest Of Our Lives”

“California Del Surprise”

“We Can Do A Neat Trick!”

“Our Initials”

“Give An Inch, Take A Milestone”

“Chompin’ At The Gambit”

“Set-Up And Spike”

“Brad Wears Wool Sunglasses!”

“Will Get Fooled, Again” (♩)

“Yahoooh!….It’s A Celebration!…” (♪)

“Babe!…We Got You, Babe!” (♪)

or

“It’s A Feather In Their Cap, And They Call That Couple ‘Broni’!” (♪)

I’ve been to surprise birthday parties, but the only surprise anniversary party I’ve seen was one where the married couple was really old and not in good health, and family was trying to cheer them up (and cheer them on to possible recovery in the nursing home where they had to live). So, for a first year anniversary, do they give gag gifts or what?

Years ago my wife surprised me with a birthday party. It wasn’t easy to do either. Before we added onto the back of the house, I had a nice shop in our back yard where I’d work on my model trains or whatnot. This particular Saturday, I was out there doing something and I was ready to come in and help with dinner. She heard me coming and said I didn’t have to come in yet, that I could stay out a bit longer. OK, didn’t think anything of it. A little later, my oldest daughter came out and said to come in. We went in to the kitchen together and I was literally floored by the surprise and the number of people in our little kitchen. It was the best. Good job Toni and TJ!

I anyone else having their screen automatically scrolling to the bottom when clicking on ‘reply’?

Apparently Toni’s brother and aunt realized that the way to thoroughly ruin a couple’s first anniversary is for their family and friends to come over. The DeGroots, of course, didn’t.

Interesting how confirmation bias played a role in those who were attacking TJ for his behavior.

A woman friend of ours, successfully planned a surprise trip to Ireland for her husband and herself. It was very complicated with many people in on it. She arranged for her husband to take a two-week leave of absence (!) from work, by clearing it with his department head. This included our driving them to the airport to pick up some “lost baggage”. He was absolutely dumbfounded but a very good sport about it.

In yesterday’s comments, Susan123 nailed it! She said TJ was just killing time for a surprise get together at home! Good call Susan!Susan123 nailed it in yesterdays comments!

7

Morning pipe & coffee commentary:

This set of panels is as anticipated. I am glad that this shows again a very nice, kind, and good side of TJ. It shows that Toni, too, is very thoughtful and kind. She is working against her own natural inclinations of being a bit introverted and liking quiet, simple events… to give to Brad something that he likes….. “extravaganza”.

Now, what will Brad’s reaction be tomorrow? Probably happy and joyful. But, what if it is something different?

That is about it for today.

It was all a set up lol I love it <3

Good job TJ!!

and TJ wasn’t being the purposeless jerk so many were proposing.

That picture of Toni with her arms outstretched, waiting to give Brad a huge hug, is sooooo heartwarming…

I knew it! Gettting Brad out of the house so Toni could put together a party!

Love it!

TJ might join the CIA for a career. He’s very adept at lying for a good cause.

That’s also called “acting”.

Toni looks cute in her current outfit. It sure beats her fire uniform.

Unless I missed a comment (which is possible), am I the first to note that this strip marks an interesting moment in the Luanniverse?

This anniversary happened IN REAL WORLD TIME, not strip time.

TJ will go when his moment comes. I hope it is to live with somebody. Hell move but will be in the cartoon. As for the party yes, im surprised as well and no, I did not put TJ out. He’s been nothing but help to Bwad and Toni. Bwad shoulda bought the smell.

Great job Greg!! How honoring this is to Toni and Brad!

How about TJ get his own girl/boyfriend? Hey how about that for a plot twist? TJ is gay and hooks up with Gunther? Now that I’d be excited to read.

So, it was all a plot, and TJ dawdled on purpose?

Well, I still wish he’d go away.

But, Happy AnniFIRSTary, Brad and Toni!

TJ put his neck on the chopping block (so to speak) for Toni. He got a lot of heat and criticism from us and from Brad but there was a method to his madness.

TJ is the ‘Master of the STALL’!! Speaking of which … Just HOW long is TJ gonna be in there??!! I mean … I really gotta GO!!! (Hence, the ‘Gotta Go’ dance!) :)

When you stop and think about it TJ has been the one to make sure this marriage has gone as smoothly as it has. He got everyone working to set up a wedding for Brad and Toni and made sure the house was in good shape when they moved in. Even before he and Tiffany ran interference to keep Dirk at bay. He really is a good friend.

So is this a future version of Luann we’re looking at right now? Y’know, since apparently her timestream moves at a different rate than Brad’s or whatever (apparently that’s how she’s still a college freshman despite starting college in 2014, but it’s also been a full year since December 2016 when Brad got married).

Brad + Toni = Broni

Rainbow Dash is best pony.

Greg and Karen’s description of TJ, taken from “LuannFan” ( http://luannfan.com/meet-the-gang/ ):

-

" Sly, smooth, street-smart and shifty, TJ is a charmer with a mysterious history. He’s been Brad’s pal forever and he rents a house from Mr. and Mrs. DeGroot where he lives with Brad and Toni. TJ also invested in The Fuse, the DeGroot’s bold experiment in business. There, TJ owns and runs Kafe Kablooie where everyone hangs out. But TJ is an opportunist who’s not afraid to jump on the next Big Scheme, even if it means bending some rules. He can seem loyal and sincere, but with TJ you never know for sure. "

Where’s the Captain?

Happy Anniversary to Brad and Toni! Warm wishes for many more to come. I’ll be reading. Thank you Greg for a great comic strip! Cronkers McGee