Day by day, Nate and I were moving closer to the married life we so longed for. Both of us were reading marriage books about how to keep love alive, how to solve conflicts, how to build each other up every day, and how to have a great sex life. One thing that popped up in all the books was that marriage might be challenging in ways we didn’t anticipate. But both of us were eager to get started!

July 12, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I am really looking forward to the talks with Pastor Sweeting. I admire him very much. I read an article he wrote, and it had many keen insights. He’ll be a good spiritual mentor for us. Any time, day or night, will be a convenient time to talk with Pastor Sweeting. I know there is a lot going on up there, far away from Army life here. How is everybody doing – your parents, Tom, Mary and Berv, Aunt Agnes, and your parents? I hope the Lord is keeping them all in good health. And – you too! I love Meg Johnson!

July 12, 1969 – Dear Nate. Here are some wedding details. You asked about a cake. It can’t be ordered until we get the guest list to near-accuracy, so we can determine size. Then we can look in a cake catalog. Bakeries are charging $10 for the tiny bride and groom to set on top, which seems like a waste! Maybe we can make them. I would also really like to pay for the material and notions to make all the bridesmaids dresses. There will be 7 girls: my sister, 3 cousins, my best friend from childhood, my college roommate, and the girl who introduced you and me! I’m thinking dark royal blue or maybe deep burgundy for the gowns.

July 13, 1969 – Dearest Meg, my love, my fiancé, my bride. Two weeks from now I will see Meg, and this camp will be over. I love you! I re-read 1 Corinthians 13 tonight – it is short but so spiritually satisfying. I will love you like that forever and forever…

July 12, 1969 – Dear Nate. The church camp is in full swing now at maximum capacity, about 60 campers. I’m driving a few kids up there Sunday night for the next session, so I’ll ask the director if you and I will need to make any preparations for our counseling weeks. When I hear about all the fun they’re having, I can’t wait for us to get there! I’m praying it’ll be a profitable 20 days or so. They’re studying the book of 1 John, so I’m beginning to look it over.

July 12, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I’ve been thinking about all the prayer, Bible study, church life, and witness we’ll be having in our marriage. The Lord has been very good to us. We must never forget him or his commandments. I’m grateful. And I’m also overjoyed that your parents have accepted our engagement, that they like the ring, and that they want to plan and be a part of the wedding. It makes me feel very, very good! And those good feelings for them are strengthening. (Your family is soon to be my family, also!)

July 13, 1969 – Dear Nate. I’ve been trying to make arrangements to fly to Manhattan, Kansas, for your graduation on the 25^th, but there’s no way, except to wait in the Kansas City airport for 5 night-time hours. So I think I’m coming via Greyhound. Only $19. I’ll be on the bus overnight with a transfer at 6:30 AM. Then I’ll arrive in Manhattan at 10:00 AM. I’ll take a cab from the airport to the base. And if that’s not early enough to watch you graduate, I’ll come the day before and pay for a motel. I don’t want to miss it!

“There is an appointed time for everything.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)