Category Archives: Submitting to God

Young Love (#54)

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mother-in-law-letterBoth Nate’s parents and mine had taken up the charge to pull together a big wedding in just a few months. Nate’s mother called and invited me to come visit them when Nate returned from Army camp on July 25. I assured her I would.

We were confident God was leading us through each decision, and we knew everything would fall together on time. I hoped to move down to Champaign at the end of August to be near Nate as he went back to law school and was anxious to prepare a newlywed home for us in an apartment near the university. The fact that I didn’t have even one lead on a teaching job didn’t bother me. I was trusting that God would show us what to do.

July 9, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I wrote my folks about the rehearsal dinner and guest list. Please feel no hesitation in calling or writing mother. Don’t be reticent. She is very eager to know and be with her new daughter. Even visiting her overnight would be very nice and generous of you, if you want to make the 4 hour drive. You both could have a good girl talk.

July 9, 1969 – Dear Nate, my fabulous fiancé! You will never know how much all your letters mean to me. They have truly factored into the growth of our relationship. And now we have a written record of all of it! When I received your THREE letters today, I was alone in the apartment but found myself exclaiming aloud, “I love you! and “Oh, Nate!” I got really excited over the things you wrote. You’re an excellent writer, but on top of your words, the message they convey is even more wonderful! I always thank the Lord that He let us find each other.

in-topekaJuly 9, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I get flashes of you in my mind like flashbacks in a movie – smiling, laughing. You’re on my mind constantly, and in a flash your beauty is even more striking and breathtaking. I appreciate you more every minute. In one month we can celebrate your birthday, then mine 10 days later. Just think – someday we’ll celebrate our babies’ birthdays! Cake and diaper-changing during the same party!

July 9, 1969 – Dear Nate. When you write that you are secure at last about my reciprocal love for you, this makes me heart rejoice! At last we are on an equal level of love and trust and candor with each other. I love you so much that sometimes I feel like bursting inside! I’m so thankful to the Lord for allowing me to experience this depth of love. By the way, I bought a new dress to wear to your friend’s wedding. It’s mint green brocade with tiny baby-blue accents. You’ll love it. And I love YOU!

July 10, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I need you, and you need me. Fulfilling each other’s needs is a complete 24-hour task requiring every thought, word, and deed. I love you so much! I hope I can always please you. I am glad we’re waiting until 29 November for sex. It will mean more that way, even in our spiritual and emotional senses.

July 11, 1969 – Dear Nate. You are kind and generous to remember my birthday and to do so with such enthusiasm! Wow! And when you commented about diapers and birthday cake at the same party, I about fell off my chair with that thrilling realization! You will make an excellent father, aware of the needs of others as you are, and will be especially good with your own wife and children. You’re responsible and stable, and I know I’m VERY lucky I get to marry you!

“Joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God.” (Psalm 146:5)

Young Love (#53)

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At last we were all agreed on November 29 as Nate’s and my wedding date – some more enthusiastically than others, but agreed. Planning shifted into high gear as Mom and I put our heads together over the details. But she wouldn’t go with me to look at china and silverware patterns. “That should be Nate,” she said. I know it bothered her that he was an absentee groom.

commanding-officerBoth Mom and Dad frequently mentioned his absence during these important days, and it frustrated me, too. But leave it to Nate. As always, he knew just what to do. He wrote a powerful letter (quoted below) dated July 9, arriving in my parents’ mail on July 11:

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Johnson,

Writing you at this time is both easy and difficult. It is easy because I have known you for two years and feel very much at home when I am with you, and because I am writing of Margaret, who we love. Yet it is difficult to discuss engagement in a letter. I want to talk personally with you before she and I go to camp.

Many times people ask an engaged couple how they know they are in love. My answer comes from a guide the Lord has given us in Scripture. In 1 Corinthians 13 He has set out through Paul the characteristics of love by which I examine myself. Love is patient, kind, hopeful and enduring; most of all it is forgiving. Love for Margaret is a spiritual gift with which the Lord has blessed me. Her virtues fill my eyes; I see past her few faults. And she has shown me so many times that my love is reciprocated. I know it is.

nates-letterI am fortunate to have a fiancée with her virtues. Her faith with witness, prayer, Bible study and obedience to God are reassuring. Margaret’s humor, energy, beauty, education, intelligence, charm, creativity and love of children make me realize what a wonderful Christian woman she is. Her letters and visits during this Army camp prove to me her spiritual quality and goodness. Each minute of the day, but especially when we pray together, I want to share my life with her. Having accepted Christ in our hearts as ultimate, Margaret and I will have a marriage unified in Him. If Margaret’s parents were less understanding, I would worry about my absence at this time. However, she has written of your complete acceptance of my Army situation and our decision. I am thrilled and happy that the Lord has given us understanding parents.

With love and warmest regard,

Nate

Mom’s heart was won in the first paragraph when Nate wrote “of Margaret, who we love.” Something about that shared love bonded her to Nate in a way that “stuck” through all the years that followed. And Dad’s respect for this young man took a significant leap on that day.

“All that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.” (Romans 8:28, TLB)

Young Love (#50)

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God seemed to be orchestrating everything perfectly as Nate moved through a multi-step proposal to me, very early on the morning of July 4th, 1969 –about 4:00 AM.

The words below were taken from a post-proposal write-up I made after getting back to Chicago on July 6. (When I wrote it, I didn’t dream anyone but me would ever read it, so it’s far from a polished piece of writing.)

After ending yesterday’s blog with Nate’s gently whispered question, “Will you marry me?” we’ll pick up the story with my very loud response:

“Ohhhh yessss!”

engagedThen, with kisses and a request for me to close my eyes, Nate brought the ring out of his pocket and slipped it on my finger. My heart was beating double-time! When he hugged me, I threw my arms around him tightly so the ring would land right in front of my eyes when I opened them… and there it was, the most brilliant, dazzling diamond ever to be on a girl’s finger.

Words couldn’t come fast enough for me then as I exclaimed of its beauty, its sparkle, its perfection beyond my every expectation. And most of all, words of its meaning in my now being really and truly committed to Nate!

“But wait,” he said. “There’s more.”

maraschino-cherriesFirst and most important, we bowed together before the Lord in prayer, thanking Him, dedicating ourselves. Then Nate disap- peared into the motel room bathroom and returned with a bottle of Portuguese champagne packed in the Holiday Inn ice bucket along with two Holiday Inn plastic glasses, a “love bug” corkscrew bought especially for the occasion, two oranges for us to feed each other, and a glass of Maraschino cherries soaking in tiny ice cubes, ready to pop into our mouths.

We toasted our engagement and our future, punctuating everything with smiles and warm laughter. I felt so much love for him. But he wasn’t through even yet. He left for the bathroom again, this time snapping off even the one light he’d left burning. Returning slowly, he reappeared with a big 4th of July cake topped with multiple lit candles flickering in the dark room. The candles were arranged in a circle with a cross stuck into the frosting in the center. “… to represent eternal love,” he said, “governed by Christ.”

Together we blew out the candles, a little late since the top layer of frosting was covered with tallow, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying this sweet treat. “Every engagement party has to have a cake!” he said. We cut it into pieces with the end of my rat-tail comb for lack of anything better.

excitedEven in all the frivolity, which got stronger and stronger, it was neat to realize our decision had been officially made to marry – the first official step toward which was completed at 4:45 AM in Topeka, Kansas, on the 4th of July, 1969.

There was a lot of kissing and hugging, after which Nate went back into the bathroom, emerging with a big beach ball! What’s a proposal without a rousing game of dive-and-catch? And lastly, he gave me a small American flag on a stick to represent his involvement in the military on this special day, a blend of romance and patriotism.

As our celebration was ending, the sun was rising, full of beauty and July 4th enthusiasm, but not nearly as dazzling as my gleaming diamond ring. I told Nate I loved him more and more and more, and promised my gift of a lifetime of love, support, devotion, and loyalty.

“You are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in every way.” (Song of Songs 4:9)