One way to mark someone as old, is give them recognition for reaching 50 years of service.
Last year is was for 50 years married to my XYL (but we never use that shorthand)! It was only shortly after that I received my Novice ticket WN8EHS and joined up with the ARRL. Yearly dues at first.
I soon decided my association with Amateur Radio was going to be as enduring as my marriage. I started the Life Membership payment plan.
As the infamous "They" say, "The rest of the story is history."