diff --git a/examples/editor-libcosmic/src/text.rs b/examples/editor-libcosmic/src/text.rs
index cc53054..40a07ad 100644
--- a/examples/editor-libcosmic/src/text.rs
+++ b/examples/editor-libcosmic/src/text.rs
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ impl StyleSheet for Theme {
 }
 
 pub struct Text {
-    line: BufferLine<'static>,
+    line: BufferLine,
     metrics: Metrics,
 }
 
@@ -223,25 +223,25 @@ pub fn draw_pixel(
         // Do not draw if alpha is zero
         return;
     }
-    
+
     if y < 0 || y >= height {
         // Skip if y out of bounds
         return;
     }
-    
+
     if x < 0 || x >= width {
         // Skip if x out of bounds
         return;
     }
-    
+
     let offset = (y as usize * width as usize + x as usize) * 4;
-    
+
     let mut current =
         buffer[offset] as u32 |
         (buffer[offset + 1] as u32) << 8 |
         (buffer[offset + 2] as u32) << 16 |
         (buffer[offset + 3] as u32) << 24;
-    
+
     if alpha >= 255 || current == 0 {
         // Alpha is 100% or current is null, replace with no blending
         current = color.0;
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ pub fn draw_pixel(
             + (alpha * (0x01000000 | ((color.0 & 0x0000FF00) >> 8)));
         current = (rb & 0x00FF00FF) | (ag & 0xFF00FF00);
     }
-    
+
     buffer[offset] = current as u8;
     buffer[offset + 1] = (current >> 8) as u8;
     buffer[offset + 2] = (current >> 16) as u8;
diff --git a/src/attrs.rs b/src/attrs.rs
index 4392192..0282a7e 100644
--- a/src/attrs.rs
+++ b/src/attrs.rs
@@ -51,6 +51,40 @@ impl Color {
     }
 }
 
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, Eq, Hash, PartialEq)]
+pub enum FamilyOwned {
+    Name(String),
+    Serif,
+    SansSerif,
+    Cursive,
+    Fantasy,
+    Monospace,
+}
+
+impl FamilyOwned {
+    pub fn new(family: Family) -> Self {
+        match family {
+            Family::Name(name) => FamilyOwned::Name(name.to_string()),
+            Family::Serif => FamilyOwned::Serif,
+            Family::SansSerif => FamilyOwned::SansSerif,
+            Family::Cursive => FamilyOwned::Cursive,
+            Family::Fantasy => FamilyOwned::Fantasy,
+            Family::Monospace => FamilyOwned::Monospace,
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn as_family(&self) -> Family {
+        match self {
+            FamilyOwned::Name(name) => Family::Name(&name),
+            FamilyOwned::Serif => Family::Serif,
+            FamilyOwned::SansSerif => Family::SansSerif,
+            FamilyOwned::Cursive => Family::Cursive,
+            FamilyOwned::Fantasy => Family::Fantasy,
+            FamilyOwned::Monospace => Family::Monospace,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /// Text attributes
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, Eq, Hash, PartialEq)]
 pub struct Attrs<'a> {
@@ -136,30 +170,65 @@ impl<'a> Attrs<'a> {
     }
 }
 
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, Eq, Hash, PartialEq)]
+pub struct AttrsOwned {
+    //TODO: should this be an option?
+    pub color_opt: Option<Color>,
+    pub family_owned: FamilyOwned,
+    pub monospaced: bool,
+    pub stretch: Stretch,
+    pub style: Style,
+    pub weight: Weight,
+}
+
+impl AttrsOwned {
+    pub fn new(attrs: Attrs) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            color_opt: attrs.color_opt,
+            family_owned: FamilyOwned::new(attrs.family),
+            monospaced: attrs.monospaced,
+            stretch: attrs.stretch,
+            style: attrs.style,
+            weight: attrs.weight,
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn as_attrs(&self) -> Attrs {
+        Attrs {
+            color_opt: self.color_opt,
+            family: self.family_owned.as_family(),
+            monospaced: self.monospaced,
+            stretch: self.stretch,
+            style: self.style,
+            weight: self.weight,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /// List of text attributes to apply to a line
 //TODO: have this clean up the spans when changes are made
 #[derive(Eq, PartialEq)]
-pub struct AttrsList<'a> {
-    defaults: Attrs<'a>,
-    spans: Vec<(Range<usize>, Attrs<'a>)>,
+pub struct AttrsList {
+    defaults: AttrsOwned,
+    spans: Vec<(Range<usize>, AttrsOwned)>,
 }
 
-impl<'a> AttrsList<'a> {
+impl AttrsList {
     /// Create a new attributes list with a set of default [Attrs]
-    pub fn new(defaults: Attrs<'a>) -> Self {
+    pub fn new(defaults: Attrs) -> Self {
         Self {
-            defaults,
+            defaults: AttrsOwned::new(defaults),
             spans: Vec::new(),
         }
     }
 
     /// Get the default [Attrs]
-    pub fn defaults(&self) -> Attrs<'a> {
-        self.defaults
+    pub fn defaults(&self) -> Attrs {
+        self.defaults.as_attrs()
     }
 
     /// Get the current attribute spans
-    pub fn spans(&self) -> &Vec<(Range<usize>, Attrs<'a>)> {
+    pub fn spans(&self) -> &Vec<(Range<usize>, AttrsOwned)> {
         &self.spans
     }
 
@@ -169,7 +238,7 @@ impl<'a> AttrsList<'a> {
     }
 
     /// Add an attribute span, removes any previous matching parts of spans
-    pub fn add_span(&mut self, range: Range<usize>, attrs: Attrs<'a>) {
+    pub fn add_span(&mut self, range: Range<usize>, attrs: Attrs) {
         //do not support 1..1 even if by accident.
         if range.start == range.end {
             return;
@@ -191,7 +260,7 @@ impl<'a> AttrsList<'a> {
                 rework_spans.push((rework.0.start..range.start, rework.1))
             } else if self.spans[i].0.end > range.end && self.spans[i].0.start < range.start {
                 let rework = self.spans.remove(i);
-                rework_spans.push((rework.0.start..range.start, rework.1));
+                rework_spans.push((rework.0.start..range.start, rework.1.clone()));
                 rework_spans.push((range.end..rework.0.end, rework.1));
             } else if self.spans[i].0.start > range.end {
                 break;
@@ -208,7 +277,7 @@ impl<'a> AttrsList<'a> {
         // Combine span if possible
         let mut combined = false;
         for span in self.spans.iter_mut() {
-            if span.1 != attrs {
+            if span.1.as_attrs() != attrs {
                 // Ignore not matching attrs
                 continue;
             }
@@ -230,7 +299,7 @@ impl<'a> AttrsList<'a> {
 
         if ! combined {
             //Finally lets add the new span. it should fit now.
-            self.spans.push((range, attrs));
+            self.spans.push((range, AttrsOwned::new(attrs)));
         }
 
         //sort by start to speed up further additions
@@ -240,18 +309,18 @@ impl<'a> AttrsList<'a> {
     /// Get the highest priority attribute span for a range
     ///
     /// This returns the first span that contains the range
-    pub fn get_span(&self, range: Range<usize>) -> Attrs<'a> {
+    pub fn get_span(&self, range: Range<usize>) -> Attrs {
         for span in self.spans.iter() {
             if range.start >= span.0.start && range.end <= span.0.end {
-                return span.1;
+                return span.1.as_attrs();
             }
         }
-        self.defaults
+        self.defaults.as_attrs()
     }
 
     /// Split attributes list at an offset
     pub fn split_off(&mut self, index: usize) -> Self {
-        let mut new = Self::new(self.defaults);
+        let mut new = Self::new(self.defaults.as_attrs());
         let mut i = 0;
         while i < self.spans.len() {
             if self.spans[i].0.end <= index {
@@ -268,7 +337,7 @@ impl<'a> AttrsList<'a> {
                 // New span has index..end
                 new.spans.push((
                     0..self.spans[i].0.end - index,
-                    self.spans[i].1
+                    self.spans[i].1.clone()
                 ));
                 // Old span has start..index
                 self.spans[i].0.end = index;
diff --git a/src/buffer.rs b/src/buffer.rs
index d030bc6..0ecd3c0 100644
--- a/src/buffer.rs
+++ b/src/buffer.rs
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ impl fmt::Display for Metrics {
 pub struct Buffer<'a> {
     font_system: &'a FontSystem<'a>,
     /// Lines (or paragraphs) of text in the buffer
-    pub lines: Vec<BufferLine<'a>>,
+    pub lines: Vec<BufferLine>,
     metrics: Metrics,
     width: i32,
     height: i32,
diff --git a/src/buffer_line.rs b/src/buffer_line.rs
index 673d968..611114d 100644
--- a/src/buffer_line.rs
+++ b/src/buffer_line.rs
@@ -1,20 +1,20 @@
 use crate::{AttrsList, FontSystem, LayoutLine, ShapeLine};
 
 /// A line (or paragraph) of text that is shaped and laid out
-pub struct BufferLine<'a> {
+pub struct BufferLine {
     //TODO: make this not pub(crate)
     text: String,
-    attrs_list: AttrsList<'a>,
+    attrs_list: AttrsList,
     wrap_simple: bool,
     shape_opt: Option<ShapeLine>,
     layout_opt: Option<Vec<LayoutLine>>,
 }
 
-impl<'a> BufferLine<'a> {
+impl BufferLine {
     /// Create a new line with the given text and attributes list
     /// Cached shaping and layout can be done using the [Self::shape] and
     /// [Self::layout] functions
-    pub fn new<T: Into<String>>(text: T, attrs_list: AttrsList<'a>) -> Self {
+    pub fn new<T: Into<String>>(text: T, attrs_list: AttrsList) -> Self {
         Self {
             text: text.into(),
             attrs_list,
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ impl<'a> BufferLine<'a> {
     ///
     /// Will reset shape and layout if it differs from current text and attributes list.
     /// Returns true if the line was reset
-    pub fn set_text<T: AsRef<str> + Into<String>>(&mut self, text: T, attrs_list: AttrsList<'a>) -> bool {
+    pub fn set_text<T: AsRef<str> + Into<String>>(&mut self, text: T, attrs_list: AttrsList) -> bool {
         if text.as_ref() != &self.text || attrs_list != self.attrs_list {
             self.text = text.into();
             self.attrs_list = attrs_list;
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ impl<'a> BufferLine<'a> {
     }
 
     /// Get attributes list
-    pub fn attrs_list(&self) -> &AttrsList<'a> {
+    pub fn attrs_list(&self) -> &AttrsList {
         &self.attrs_list
     }
 
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ impl<'a> BufferLine<'a> {
     ///
     /// Will reset shape and layout if it differs from current attributes list.
     /// Returns true if the line was reset
-    pub fn set_attrs_list(&mut self, attrs_list: AttrsList<'a>) -> bool {
+    pub fn set_attrs_list(&mut self, attrs_list: AttrsList) -> bool {
         if attrs_list != self.attrs_list {
             self.attrs_list = attrs_list;
             self.reset();
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ impl<'a> BufferLine<'a> {
         for (other_range, attrs) in other.attrs_list.spans() {
             // Add previous attrs spans
             let range = other_range.start + len..other_range.end + len;
-            self.attrs_list.add_span(range, *attrs);
+            self.attrs_list.add_span(range, attrs.as_attrs());
         }
 
         self.reset();
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ impl<'a> BufferLine<'a> {
     }
 
     /// Shape line, will cache results
-    pub fn shape(&mut self, font_system: &'a FontSystem<'a>) -> &ShapeLine {
+    pub fn shape<'a>(&mut self, font_system: &'a FontSystem<'a>) -> &ShapeLine {
         if self.shape_opt.is_none() {
             self.shape_opt = Some(ShapeLine::new(font_system, &self.text, &self.attrs_list));
             self.layout_opt = None;
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ impl<'a> BufferLine<'a> {
     }
 
     /// Layout line, will cache results
-    pub fn layout(&mut self, font_system: &'a FontSystem<'a>, font_size: i32, width: i32) -> &[LayoutLine] {
+    pub fn layout<'a>(&mut self, font_system: &'a FontSystem<'a>, font_size: i32, width: i32) -> &[LayoutLine] {
         if self.layout_opt.is_none() {
             let wrap_simple = self.wrap_simple;
             let shape = self.shape(font_system);
diff --git a/src/font/system.rs b/src/font/system.rs
index 07d1ef5..b8902ee 100644
--- a/src/font/system.rs
+++ b/src/font/system.rs
@@ -5,14 +5,14 @@ use std::{
     sync::{Arc, Mutex},
 };
 
-use crate::{Attrs, Font, FontMatches};
+use crate::{Attrs, AttrsOwned, Font, FontMatches};
 
 /// Access system fonts
 pub struct FontSystem<'a> {
     pub locale: String,
     pub db: fontdb::Database,
     pub font_cache: Mutex<HashMap<fontdb::ID, Option<Arc<Font<'a>>>>>,
-    pub font_matches_cache: Mutex<HashMap<Attrs<'a>, Arc<FontMatches<'a>>>>,
+    pub font_matches_cache: Mutex<HashMap<AttrsOwned, Arc<FontMatches<'a>>>>,
 }
 
 impl<'a> FontSystem<'a> {
@@ -79,9 +79,10 @@ impl<'a> FontSystem<'a> {
         }).clone()
     }
 
-    pub fn get_font_matches(&'a self, attrs: Attrs<'a>) -> Arc<FontMatches<'a>> {
+    pub fn get_font_matches(&'a self, attrs: Attrs) -> Arc<FontMatches<'a>> {
         let mut font_matches_cache = self.font_matches_cache.lock().unwrap();
-        font_matches_cache.entry(attrs).or_insert_with(|| {
+        //TODO: do not create AttrsOwned unless entry does not already exist
+        font_matches_cache.entry(AttrsOwned::new(attrs)).or_insert_with(|| {
             let now = std::time::Instant::now();
 
             let mut fonts = Vec::new();
diff --git a/src/shape.rs b/src/shape.rs
index 8e96636..d88309b 100644
--- a/src/shape.rs
+++ b/src/shape.rs
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ fn shape_fallback(
 fn shape_run<'a>(
     font_system: &'a FontSystem<'a>,
     line: &str,
-    attrs_list: &AttrsList<'a>,
+    attrs_list: &AttrsList,
     start_run: usize,
     end_run: usize,
     span_rtl: bool,
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ impl ShapeWord {
     pub fn new<'a>(
         font_system: &'a FontSystem<'a>,
         line: &str,
-        attrs_list: &AttrsList<'a>,
+        attrs_list: &AttrsList,
         start_word: usize,
         end_word: usize,
         span_rtl: bool,
@@ -346,7 +346,7 @@ impl ShapeSpan {
     pub fn new<'a>(
         font_system: &'a FontSystem<'a>,
         line: &str,
-        attrs_list: &AttrsList<'a>,
+        attrs_list: &AttrsList,
         start_span: usize,
         end_span: usize,
         line_rtl: bool,
@@ -426,7 +426,7 @@ impl ShapeLine {
     pub fn new<'a>(
         font_system: &'a FontSystem<'a>,
         line: &str,
-        attrs_list: &AttrsList<'a>
+        attrs_list: &AttrsList
     ) -> Self {
         let mut spans = Vec::new();