Triplets Take the Same Photo on Their Birthday for 33 Years to See How Life Changed

Photographs are part of most people’s lives. You take pictures to remind yourself of the fun you had, but they also turn into memories you can look back on as the years go by.

One parent, Karin Scholtz, took a photograph of her beloved triplets in 1985 for their first birthday. Peter, Dennis, and Mark were very photogenic, and it seemed like the right thing to do.

However, that one picture led to the boys posing together on their birthdays for 33 years. This let them see how their personalities and features changed throughout the years. Here is their story in photographs:

Starting on the First Birthday

The photo series for these triplets started in 1985 on their first birthday. The tradition was unintentional. In fact, their mother, Karin, just wanted to snap a picture while they were stuffing cake into their mouths. However, it became an annual occurrence for the kids.

Year Two with Smiles and Soccer Jerseys

Once the second birthday came around, their mother made a new sign. They were more aware of their surroundings and were happy to pose for the camera. Look at those smiles!

A Tradition Begins with the Third Birthday

For their third birthday, Karin decided to make this annual birthday photo a tradition. They were her inspiration because they were just sitting there waiting for her to take the photograph with the sign. Dennis, Mark, and Peter sat with matching Snoopy sweaters and smiled wide!

Personalities Show Through at Age Four

On their fourth birthday, these triplets were heading to school. The tradition continued with the birthday sign and matching outfits. Well, two of them matched, anyway. Dennis and Mark were on top of their playset while Peter lay down, though they all smiled!

A Tough Fifth Birthday

You can tell that the boys were a little sad on their fifth birthday. Karin, their mom, was battling Parkinson’s Disease, but she still wanted to celebrate with the annual tradition. She dressed them in matching sweaters, made the sign and cake, and snapped a photo!

Back with Smiles for the Sixth Birthday

The boys were smiling once more on their sixth birthday. They were doing well in school, made friends, and their mother was doing better. After donning their matching sweaters, they took their annual birthday photo!

Matching Was Last Year on the Seventh Birthday

These boys were growing up fast, and something changed for the seventh birthday picture. They decided not to wear those matching sweaters, choosing overalls with different shirts underneath!

Eighth Birthday Was the Last for That House

As their eighth birthday came around, they decided to keep the different-sweater look. The polka-dot pattern was similar, but they wore different colors. Sadly, their home burnt to the ground a month after this photo, which was hard for everyone.

Somewhere New for the Ninth Birthday

The small family ended up living with Wilma, a neighbor. She helped Karin create the birthday sign for the ninth photo. They moved to a trailer after that and waited for the new home to get built. It took a year, but they finally had a house!

Peter Takes the 10th Birthday Picture

These boys were growing up fast. They decided to do something different for the 10th birthday, so Peter saved up money to buy a camera. After setting the timer, they grabbed their birthday sign and used the new camera for the traditional picture!

The Girl for the 11th Birthday

Peter was only 11 years old, but he was a ladies’ man and the first brother to get a girlfriend. He and Eva often met after school while the others ran around. Still, they didn’t forget about their annual birthday picture!

Epilepsy Diagnosis for Peter on the 12th Birthday

Their 12th birthday was hard on the triplets. Mark and Dennis were transitioning to high school, and Peter had been in many doctor’s offices. The poor boy was diagnosed with epilepsy, causing random seizures. Still, it didn’t hurt their tradition!

Separation from Peter on the 13th Birthday

Peter’s parents chose to keep him in elementary school on his 13th birthday, so his brothers left for middle school. Generally, new experiences were a trigger for seizures, and moving schools fit that bill.

Peter Goes to High School for the 14th Birthday

When they all turned 14 years old, Peter was ready to go to high school with his brothers. In fact, he was one of the smartest students, easily transitioning from the old school to the new. Still, they never forgot their birthday tradition, though they were full of teenage angst.

All in the Same Grade for the 15th Birthday

When they turned 15 years old, Peter was put in the same grade as Dennis and Mark. He put in extra work, which paid off. Their annual picture happened with bead necklaces, clearly showing them in the 1990s!

Hair Dye for the 16th Birthday

These triplets clearly went into a teenage rebellion phase for their 16th birthday. The traditional picture shows Mark with dark black hair. He liked to experiment. However, Peter (left) decided on red locks!

Making Their Way for the 17th Birthday

The boys were still in high school when they celebrated their 17th birthday. They finally decided to give up long hair and hair dye. Each of them had a similar look for their annual photo, which included the casual style.

Future-bound for Their 18th Birthday

When they turned 18 years old, the brothers graduated high school. They each decided to pursue higher learning, with Dennis wanting to become a sports masseur and Mark choosing to be a teacher. Peter preferred architecture, though!

Peter’s Episode Before the 19th Birthday

Peter hadn’t had an epileptic episode now for a few years. However, right before their 19th birthday, he experienced one of the worst attacks ever. Thankfully, someone helped him get through it, but the scare had a huge impact on his life.

Moving to Berlin for the 20th Birthday

Peter had developed anxiety over being alone during his last epileptic episode. Therefore, Mark and Dennis chose to move to Berlin to be with him for their 20th birthday. They were all around the country studying, but their brother needed them!

Together for the 21st Birthday

The brothers lived and studied in Berlin to stay together for their 21st birthday. While they were getting older, nothing could stop them from keeping with tradition. They even used the same sign style and posed for another picture!

Dark Hair for the 22nd Birthday

The triplets were still studying and living in Berlin when their 22nd birthday came around. They stopped to pose for their traditional birthday picture again, and all had darker hair that year.

Graduating and Heading Home for the 23rd Birthday

In 2008, the triplets turned 23 years old and had completed their secondary education. It was supposed to be fun, but their mom learned she had a tumor in her intestines. The boys had to move back home to care for her, but they didn’t miss their traditional picture!

Taking Care of Mom for the 24th Birthday

These boys had moved back home to care for their mother, and Peter’s girlfriend, Suzan, visited. Together, the “kids” took care of poor Karin. That also means sticking with tradition and taking another birthday photo.

Brotherly Hugs to Celebrate the 25th Birthday

Even with all the ups and downs, the triplets were close to their mom and made the best out of their situation. They still lived in the house they grew up in, and Suzan was there full-time, too. Still, they took time out to snap the traditional birthday photo.

Hippy Hair for the 26th Birthday

When the three triplets turned 26, two of the brothers had long hair. Peter rocked a ponytail and headband, but Mark had curly locks to his chin. One thing was the same; they grabbed that birthday sign and snapped a photo!

A Passing on the 27th Birthday

Sadly, Karin passed from colon cancer as the boys turned 27 years old. They inherited their house and chose to live together because it was large enough. Suzan and Peter learned they were pregnant at the same time, and they snapped the photo with smiles.

Noah Arrives on the 28th Birthday

Suzan and Peter’s son, Noah, was born in 2013, and the parents were thrilled. Mark and Dennis were ecstatic about being uncles. Even in the middle of such a huge life event, they still made time for their birthday picture.

Into a Routine for the 29th Birthday

Peter was the new father, but Dennis and Mark were uncles. They all worked full-time jobs and lived in the home they grew up in. That didn’t stop them from snapping that traditional birthday photo and preparing to turn 30!

The Huge Celebration for the 30th Birthday

Once Peter, Dennis, and Mark turned 30, they celebrated with a huge party and invited their closest friends. This was a huge milestone, but it was also when Peter and Suzan got married. Still, that birthday photo happened like always!

Bright Futures for the 31st Birthday

By the time they turned 31, these boys were looking toward the future. They were living at home, had a baby to love, and had great friends around them. Plus, they kept with the birthday picture tradition and hadn’t skipped a year so far!

Happy for the 32nd Birthday

The triplets were all happy and living life to the fullest when their 32nd birthday came around. Plus, they had kept the birthday sign their mom made for them years ago, changing the numbers and posing for the camera like always!

The Last Photo for the 33rd Birthday

The final photo (as of yet) on their journey sees these brothers at 33 years old. Their smiles are hopeful because they’ve been through many issues. Still, the future looks bright. They aren’t the only people who have taken photos each year!

A Budding Tradition

Nicholas Nixon was Bebe Brown’s husband and took a picture of his wife and three sisters (Laurie, Mimi, and Heather) in 1975. It became a tradition that they all enjoyed.

Matching Happens in 1976

The sisters might not have realized it, but they often matched for the photos. They chose similar styles, prints, and cuts, though Bebe and Laurie appeared to wear the same dress.

Greased Lightning in 1978

Grease had just been released in 1978, taking America by storm. We’re not sure if the sisters wore leather pants for the photo, but they still look like they could be part of the movie themselves!

A New Decade Begins in 1979

These sisters wanted to ring in the new year and decade with another commemorative picture. Could they have been listening to My Sharona from The Knack at the time? They very well could have been!

Joyful and Happy in 1980

Nixon chose to photograph these women less seriously and captured them in a moment where they enjoyed each other’s company. Whether it was a special event that happened or a good moment, they look content!

Working in 1981

Did you know that the minimum wage back then was just $3.10 per hour? The Brown sisters were all in their 20s at the time, so they were likely working low-paying jobs to earn money.

Continuing On

Nixon continued taking photographs of the sisters for many years. It became a tradition for them all, but one of his favorites was the women wearing cold-weather gear. Their facial expressions show that they’re ready for anything!