Category Archives: Submitting to God

Young Love (#45)

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My mother threw us a curve ball when she told me she didn’t think we should marry in November after all. Nate and I had been progressing as if it was firm, but apparently she’d only been thinking “maybe.” Dad, as the middle man, tried to reason with both of us, but Mom kept bringing up “the way Mary and Bervin did it,” citing their long engagement as the better way.

Part of the problem was that Mom and Dad were about to make a big move, downsizing from their big house in east Wilmette to a small ranch in west Wilmette. Mom didn’t want to move, but Dad, ever practical, insisted it was time. They would move in July, and Mom thought it unwise to be packing, downsizing, redecorating the new house, and planning a wedding all in the same summer. She was right, of course, but two love-struck 20-somethings couldn’t see anything but each other.

marshall-fieldsJune 27, 1969 – Dear Nate. I’m still upset over Mom’s negative attitude about a November wedding. But I have a strategy. I’ll offer to come and help with packing and getting rid of stuff. And in July, when I’m downtown looking for silver and china for the Marshall Field’s wedding registry, I’ll walk to Dad’s office and take him out to lunch. We’ll have a good conversation, and then he can convince Mom. I love him very much and am only beginning to appreciate him.

June 28, 1969 – Dearest Meg. There is some logic behind our choosing November, too. It will save double rent for a greater part of the school year as I continue in law school and you teach in Champaign. A November wedding also won’t conflict with law finals as a January wedding would, and the Thanksgiving holiday makes it easier for relatives and friends to be there. What sayest thou on all this, my love?

June 28, 1969 – Dear Nate. I say a November wedding, no matter what. I do realize our 4 parents have done a lot for us. They’ve put up with a lot, too. At least mine have. But once we’re married, we’ll invite both sets of them down to Champaign to show our appreciation. We will honor them as special guests.

June 28, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Remember, we have two sets of good parents, and we’ll love all 4 of them and eventually will convince them of our love, respect, and devotion for each other. I have the highest respect and love for your mother and father, and for mine. I know it’ll all work out in the end. I wish I could be there with you to help convince them. But this old Army = a deferment = law school = responsibility and ambition. We’ll talk deeply into this when you come.

June 28, 1969 – Dear Nate. Did I tell you I went to court on the Corvette? The two thieves got a month’s continuance on their case, although I won’t have to reappear. But both of them are out on bond, and I’m really upset that they might return to my street to do havoc on my car… or maybe on me! I’ll be glad when they get convicted and locked up! Gee, I’m scared. It was hard to look at them. The two policemen told me not to worry, but how do they know? One of the guys was charged with battery before, and drugs.

June 29, 1969 – Dearest Meg. It was wonderful to talk with you on the phone last night. You musn’t worry about those two guys. They wouldn’t dare repeat their crime.

loving-comfort

You can be absolutely sure of my complete attention, understanding, and love. I know you realize this now. Nothing could ever convince me I don’t love you, and my love and patience will always be there… to comfort you. I love you, Meg.

“The Spirit helps us in our weakness.” (Romans 8:26)

Young Love (#42)

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Just as Nate and I were moving happily toward engagement, my old boyfriend called again.

Memories of him had been fading, because my thought-life was filled with Nate and our bright future together. The boyfriend’s phone call threw me for a loop, but after we hung up, I gave it some rational thought and saw a pattern. Though we didn’t have a lot of contact, he did call every few weeks, which always pulled me back into the relationship.

He didn’t want to come between Nate and I but did want a friendship to continue. The problem, however, was at my end. Such a friendship would come at a high price for Nate and thus for me, too, and my greatest longing was for a marriage that would thrive in every way.

line-in-the-sandSo, for once I used common sense. Surely God was answering Nate’s daily prayer request for guidance. And I knew it was time to draw a line in the sand.

Rather than get together socially as he called to do, I drove to his house to tell him face-to-face that Nate and I were about to get engaged. There would be no room for another guy-girl relationship in my life, and so he and I needed to terminate all contact. He didn’t think it had to be that way but said he would honor my request.

It was a difficult task, but it got done.

June 24, 1969 – Dearest Meg. It was a taste of dolce vita the last time we were together. A walk late on a June evening with you is everything. Meg, I love you. Kisses enclosed. P.S. Quit giggling, my little brown bear.

encouraging-lettersJune 24, 1969 – Dear Nate. Your letters are so wonderful and encouraging to my missing you. You are such a stable, well-organized person (even in your thought-life), and oh how I need help in those things! You and I will help each other in many ways. But more than anything, I need you as my partner. I love you dearly, and I’m confident that as the months pass when we are together, we will love more, love deeper, and love in a way that cannot be replaced by anything else, ever. I will always need you and always want you in every way. I love you!

June 25, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Your engagement ring should arrive at your apartment in a few days. Don’t open it! It’s hard being away from you, but I do want to sacrifice to defend the United States of America so that Meg can be safe and so we can live together in liberty. I love you with every fiber of my being. The ultimate in my life is marrying you.

June 25, 1969 – Dear DEAR Nate. I miss our talking times and especially our prayer times… more than I ever dreamed I would.

fireworksJune 26, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Tomorrow I have KP – up at 3:45 AM and work to 10:00 PM. But that means 4,5,6 July will be completely free. I’ll drive into Topeka on the morning of the 4th and leave the evening of the 6th. Thanks for all the wedding planning lists. You’re a big help now and will help me in the future as a lawyer and lieutenant!

June 26, 1969 – Dear Nate. Guess what! I got my Corvette back!!! It’s an absolutely WILD tale of how the Chicago police found it and how they caught the 2 idiots who stole it. I’ll tell you all about it!

“Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Oh that my actions would consistently reflect [his] decrees!” (Psalm 119:1,5)

Young Love (#39)

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Once the letters began successfully flying back and forth between Ft. Riley and Chicago, engagement plans began to solidify. Nate’s father owned a jewelry store in the Nyman’s home town and said he could order the ring for us. When we were window shopping together in the Chicago stores, Nate had listened to my comments carefully and knew it should be a narrow band, something simple, in yellow gold.

Unbeknownst to me, he called his father from his post in Kansas and ordered the ring. His plan was to officially propose on the 4th of July when he hoped I would come for a visit, but there was no guarantee the ring would be set and sent by then.

romansJune 17, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I love you so much and am praying continually for both of us. God hears and rewards prayer with answers. In the book of Romans, Paul says faith is trusting God, and this opens the Christian life. Let’s always pray and have a Christian home for our babies. I’m eager for the 4th of July when you come!

June 17, 1969 – Dear Nate. It’s Monday morning, but I’m home from work today, “sick.” I don’t have the flu or anything, but I laid out in the sun for 5 hours yesterday after church and burned my eyelids so bad they barely open. I’ve been dizzy and nauseated, too. Aspirin helps. I’m so careless.

June 19, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Take it easy on the sun, especially if you ever use a sunlamp. Take good care of yourself! If you come for a visit over the 4th weekend, train arrangements will have to be made at the last minute. I’m sorry you have to go through that, and do all the arranging, too. But I really need to see you. And I need your love, too – which I know I have.

my-corvetteJune 20, 1969 – Dear Nate. You won’t believe this! The one time I neglect to lock my Corvette doors, and the car gets stolen! I about had a heart attack when it wasn’t where I parked it. I called the police, Bervin, Dad, and my insurance man. The police came right over and filled out a long report, but my insurance guy had bad news. He said, “One out of every 3 Corvettes, old or new, is stolen at least once in the life of the car.” I was furious! The police said people steal Corvettes to dismantle them and sell the parts, and whoever took it probably had a garage ready and waiting to do that.

June 20, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I’m really sorry your car was stolen. But perhaps it can serve as a lesson on materialism? Or at least a warning. If they never find it, before you purchase another vehicle, you should check with your father and with Bervin – and you and I should talk about our finances as a couple. It will all work out.

June 20, 1969 – Dear Nate. I talked to the police again to see if my car was found. They said it would probably be found… stripped and sitting on a side street. Drat! Dad was encouraging, though. I figured I was due for a lecture on locking car doors, but it never came. Instead he was very optimistic, saying it might have been time to update my car situation anyway (to something more economical). That gave me hope.

“Count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds.” (James 1:2)