Newlywed Love (#75)

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July 6-10, 1970

As Nate and I adjusted to life without our little “fur-pants” (Mom’s nickname for Baron), we begged Mom and Dad to bring him for a visit the very next weekend. But they were busy people, and the best they could do was 2 weeks hence.

That was good enough for us, something grand to anticipate. Mom described how she and her new little buddy were happy companions, going everywhere together. She bragged about him as if he was her child, and we loved knowing she was enjoying him that much.

Newspaper readerNate registered for two difficult summer school classes, and that same day got word back about another job – a 55-mile rural newspaper route. The boss promised he would earn $100 per week [equivalent to $25 per hour], and we were over-the-moon about it. We couldn’t believe that each hour he worked would earn as much as donating a pint of blood!

There were several conditions:

  • He’d have to use his own car, adding some serious wear and tear with the endless stops and starts.
  • He had to report to the newspaper office by 4:00 AM each day to fold and rubber-band papers, so they could slide into country mailboxes.
  • All the papers had to be delivered by 6:00 AM.

DQBut Nate had always loved newspapers, and the job seemed to be a good fit. It wouldn’t interfere with his classes and would be the steady income we needed. He didn’t hesitate to agree to the conditions, and we celebrated with Cathy and John by making a quick trip to Dairy Queen.

Life was looking up, and even my summer school was getting easier. Surprisingly, I found myself learning more than the students through my endless reading and planning each evening. And I was getting excited about trying out new educational ideas on my own students, come September.

Though we missed our darling doggie, it helped to know we would see him soon. In his absence, something interesting was happening between Nate and me.

CrazinessWhen Baron had been there to entertain us, we had focused together on his silly antics and drifted away from “entertaining” each other. But without him around, we resumed getting silly all by ourselves, just like we used to do. This focus-change was deeply satisfying to both of us.

I journaled about my renewed joy in him:

Married life is so beautiful, I keep wondering when each new day will cease to be neater than the one before! When I wake up each morning and look at Nate next to me, I about giggle with delight at seeing him there and being able to snestle with him right then and there. He’s so good looking and always so fresh and clean —

Happy journal

Nate's noteNate (Poopsie to me) began thanking me for everything from my still-strange cooking, to cleaning the bathroom sink, to washing his underwear, to sewing on a button. Married life was good indeed.

“Let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” (1 John 3:18)

Newlywed Love (#74)

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July 3-5, 1970

After our landlord’s definitive word that Baron could no longer stay with us, we considered moving. Linda, one of my old carpool buddies, had a dog and it was fine with the landlord where she and Ron lived. There was an extra fee for “Rip,” but at least he was legal.

Country Fair apartments.Our lease would run out August 1st, and though we had been planning to stay there another year, I began campaigning to make the move. The Country Fair apartments had something we didn’t: air conditioning. And it didn’t hurt that there was an outdoor swimming pool, too, since the weather was hot and muggy. Both Nate and I loved to swim, and I knew we’d have lots of fun in the pool, as well as being able to spend more time with Linda and Ron.

But Nate didn’t buy my logic. “What about wintertime? And the fireplace we love so much here – not to mention the huge effort and expense of moving.” I hadn’t thought of those, and by now our 3 rooms were full of heavy furniture… three stories up.

“But what about Baron?” I said.

Nate reminded me that my parents had offered to take him — with joy. “And,” he said, “whenever they visit here or we visit there, we’ll get to see him.” But I wasn’t convinced.

Nate continued. “Only one year from now, we’ll be done with law school and moving away from Champaign. We could choose a dog-friendly apartment then and get him back.”

Law booksHe was right. I was so busy with school work I couldn’t imagine finding time to pack and move… or even swim. And Nate was considering a couple of law courses during the second session of summer school. They would be on double-time overload and very difficult, but without a job, he needed to get something accomplished with his summer. Moving would be hard to pile on top of that.

So, while holding Baron on my lap, I dialed my folks. After Mom heard about the landlord she said, “Why don’t the two of you and Baron come this way for the 4th of July weekend. We’re going to celebrate in Michigan, so drive straight there. Baron will love playing on the beach again, and… we’ll be delighted to take him home with us.”

When I hung up, it was all set, though both Nate and I felt queasy. We told ourselves it would only be temporary, which seemed to help – at least a little.

Baron gets awayThe holiday weekend in Michigan was a mix of good and bad weather, happy and sad conversation, and a very tearful farewell to our puppy. When we arrived back in Champaign, our spirits were sagging, and we almost didn’t want to go in… because some of the happy life in our little home had been left in Michigan.

“Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.” (Ecclesiastes 7:3)

Newlywed Love (#73)

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June 28-July 2, 1970

My second week of student teaching was harder than the first. The 22-year-old certified teacher (to whom I was accountable) told me I would be doing most of the teaching while she sat and observed.

That meant every evening I had to study curriculum materials and prepare lesson plans. Since I didn’t know what I was doing with this new grade level, I had to dig into the seminar textbooks by the hour to figure it all out.

Job searchAs for Nate’s days, he continued making calls and pounding the pavement seeking a third job, since day-after-day his name was passed over for construction work, and his pots and pans weren’t selling.

The two of us had virtually no time together and were suffering because of it. We did sit together over our simple dinners, but the rest of the time I was either gone or busy. The only recreation was late-night coffee breaks with Cathy and John… and of course fun in the bedroom.

One evening we gave ourselves the luxury of a walk through the neighborhood, taking Baron with us. His funny antics always lifted our spirits.

DiscouragedWhen we returned to our apartment, though, we discovered we’d locked ourselves out. The only option was to knock on a neighbor’s door and ask to use the phone. Then, after calling the landlord, the 3 of us waited on the front step.

We talked about our sticky situation with Baron being there, and how it could end badly. But I had an idea. “I could take Baron around to the back yard,” I said, “so Mr. Norman won’t see him.”

Nate, with his sterling integrity, responded exactly as I expected. “Better not.”

“But what is he gonna say?”

“Well… let’s just wait and see. Maybe it won’t be a big deal.”

When Mr. Norman finally arrived with his master key, he immediately zeroed in on Baron, perched in Nate’s arms. “Who’s this little fellow?”

Nate introduced them while Baron did his best to radiate puppy-charm. Watching our landlord pat him on the head lit a tiny flame of hope in me. But then he said, “He’s not your dog, is he?”

Nate and I took a quick glance at each other, which of course answered the question. “Well… he can’t stay here. Nothing against him, you understand, but that’s my rule.”

When we didn’t respond, he continued. “I’ll tell you what. You can have through the weekend to figure out what to do. But after that, he needs to be gone.”

Our feet were heavy as we followed Mr. Norman and his key up the stairs. He didn’t chide us for interrupting his evening or threaten to evict us. But as he gave Baron one last pat on the head he said, “By the end of the weekend.” And that was that.

Baron at easeMy heart was hurting, but Nate summed it up well. “We knew this would happen eventually. And really, he didn’t even have to let us back in the apartment… with Baron.”

“I suppose,” I said. “And I guess being honest should count for something” – though right then I wished I’d done the dishonest thing and taken him to the back yard.

“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” (Proverbs 11:3)