As Nate’s and my engagement drew closer, his focus was on procuring the ring before the 4th of July so he could propose when I came to Kansas. But with the military’s spotty record of handling mail, he worried the precious package might never reach him. His father thought it best to mail it to me instead, and said it would arrive in a plain box with no special insurance markings indicating something valuable inside. As he put it, there was less chance of theft that way.
This all made me nervous, but with so much mail coming to my address, the mailman and I had become friends. I trusted him to do his part well. Meanwhile, I was still teaching kindergarten (until June 27), and Nate was marching to the beat of a military drum. And since my Corvette was gone, I was driving a rental.
June 21, 1969 – Dear Nate. I’m still mad about losing my car, but am learning something about myself. Though a car is worth hard-earned money, it’s probably not ok to get as attached to it as I was. It actually made me nauseated to think about it, and I felt like calling in sick. That’s probably not good. But, leaving that depressing subject behind, how are you, my love?
June 21, 1969 – Dearest Meg. The thought of you waiting for me makes this Army stuff seem alright. I often think of the moment we parted. I would like to call you, but there are no phones in the barracks. Last time I called I waited 40 minutes to be able to use a phone, and then no one answered at your end. So I will just keep writing.
June 21, 1969 – Dear Nate. I think of you night and day, just constantly, and wish I had the power to exempt you from Army camp or else move to Ft. Riley to be near you for these 6 weeks. But this will be the worst of it for us. From here on out it will be togetherness all the way! How interesting that you ran into a law school friend down there. I hope your sergeant is nice. I’d like to hear all about life in the Army.
June 21, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I’ve been working on the ring. It looks like my dad will be mailing it to YOU. But don’t open the package! I’ll open it when I propose. I love you so much it hurts! (…and I’m writing this letter in line, in the rain.)
June 22, 1969 – Dear Nate. I’m getting all excited about our wedding! I’ve bought a couple of BRIDE’S magazines and am getting all sorts of practical ideas for both of us. I would love to have a formal wedding with the guys wearing cut-away coats and white gloves, and the women in long gowns, including our mothers. That would make it fun for them. But anything I suggest is subject to your changes. That goes without saying.
June 22, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I thank the Lord every day and night for you and our relationship. I love you!!!! I’m so lonely for you that I fight tears when I think of our long separation. Thank you for tending to the details of our wedding. About the ring – I will open it and put it on your finger. I feel like our coming engagement is very real, and I know it is of God.
“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” (Lamentations 3:25)