After Nate’s and my engagement weekend, well wishes began to come to us (like Mary’s note, right). It was frustrating to be going through those happy days without Nate next to me, but if we wanted to get married in November, this was our only choice. I forwarded every note or congratulatory card I received, and Nate did the same for me.
Aunt Joyce from California, my wise mentor, sent a loving letter and a gift: “Dear Margee. We want you to know how happy and thrilled we all are for you and Nate, and we know you have given prayerful consideration to your decision before the Lord. We’re anxious to meet him and already love him, because you do!” Her letter was accompanied by the red and white checked Betty Crocker cook book I still use 47 years later.
Meanwhile, Nate’s and my letters continued to fly back and forth.
July 7, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Thank you for your honesty in our discussion over the weekend about your old boyfriend. I am happy to the highest degree that you now realize the danger of being with him, whether to play tennis, eat a meal, or go to a movie. And I’m thrilled that you think of him less and less. I know it was hard for you to bring this up again and talk honestly about it. I love you more for doing it. And I completely trust you. I will love you forever!
July 7, 1969 – Dear Nate. To my wonderful fiancé! Mary and Bervin are really excited that we are engaged. When I showed them my ring, Mary ran for her camera and took a bunch of close up pictures. Bervin told me he was thrilled you asked him to stand up for you in the wedding. Tommy was really surprised that his sister had gotten engaged, and when he saw the ring, he spit out his cookie. And Aunt Agnes? Well, she begged to try it on, so I let her. Everyone wishes you were with me so they could congratulate you too…. and so do I!
July 7, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I’m looking forward to our time together at the Moody camp, sharing experiences. And I also want to talk deeply with your parents at some point. I know it seems wrong to them that I’m not there with you now. Do you think I ought to write them a letter? I would really love to.
July 8, 1969 – Dear Nate. If you follow through on a letter to my parents, it would help them better understand your required absence during these days. And they would love you more easily after that. Mom is coming around nicely, getting more enthusiastic. When I told her we were talking about names for our children, that helped. She has always loved kids, the more the better.
July 8, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Time is flying by. Due to torrential rains this morning, no PT test today. Free time in the PX cafeteria instead. This Saturday we have Vietnamese orientation until 8 PM. The next two weeks we’ll be mainly in the field on war games and tactical exercises. And soon it’ll be 25 July and graduation when I’ll be with you again. I’m going to work on that letter to your parents as soon as I get the chance.
July 8, 1969 – Dear Nate. I have an appointment to see wedding gowns at Marshall Fields in a few days. I’m going to have to work fast to get everything done by November. And that means choosing invitations, thank you notes, china, silverware, and linens without you at my side. I’ll just have to hope your tastes are similar to mine.
July 8, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Let’s engrave our initials and the wedding date inside our wedding bands: MAJ to WNN – 11-29-69, and WNN to MAJ – 11-29-69. Then we can each add a special verse or can use the same one. We’ll talk about this when you come. How about Matthew 19:6? “They are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
“My God will supply every need of yours.” (Philippians 4:19)