It’s always kind of funny how some dates just seem to carry so much weight. They can be for good reasons, or bad ones, or something in between. As Days of Our Lives‘ Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie) put it on her Instagram, “January 12,” is, indeed, “a day to remember.” And it’s for the good times, and the sad — and perhaps the bittersweet moments in between.

For one thing, Seaforth Hayes gets to celebrate her youngest stepdaughter Margaret Jackson’s 70th birthday. That, in and of itself, is incredible. But for another thing, it was 50 years ago this day that Time magazine put out its first and only issue with soap opera characters on the cover. Those characters? Well, we’re sure Days of Our Lives fans know that they were Doug and Julie!

As Julie’s longtime portrayer shared on Instagram, January 12th, 1976, was the day “that Time magazine put Doug and Julie on its cover representing soap operas’ reign over pop culture.” And 48 years later, in 2024, it was “the day my darling husband said farewell to this world. I remember all of it and so does my Days of Our Lives family. I’m wearing Bill’s jacket to work, the 35th Anniversary jacket.”

Of course, the Time cover declared soap operas “sex and suffering in the afternoon.” And that wasn’t necessarily a criticism — nor is it particularly wrong! But as Seaforth Hayes remembers her beloved husband, and we’re reminded of the bonds Doug and Julie shared over the years, we’d be remiss if we didn’t add that soap operas are also very much about love and family.

Sex and suffering may bring the drama, but love will always be the beating heart of daytime.

“This year we begin our 61st season of Days,” Seaforth Hayes continued. “I’ve been blessed to have so much opportunity, happiness, and love in my life. The stars I reached for were always shining in his eyes. Today of all days I wish you love.”

We could not think of a better way to mark this day than that.