think fondly of the past

verb phrase

1. to remember earlier times with warm, affectionate feelings and pleasure, often because you feel they were happy or special

   B2

   think fondly of + noun; often used with 'often', 'still', 'always'

   • "My grandpa often thinks fondly of the past."A2

2. to talk or write about an earlier period as if it were better or happier than it really was

   C1

   often used with 'tend to', 'like to'slightly literary

   • "In his speeches he tends to think fondly of the past, describing his childhood as a golden age."C1