Young Love (#68)

Posted on January 12, 2017 by Margaret

As Nate’s summer camp neared its conclusion, he was eager to become a civilian again. But he’d been moved by the loneliness among the troops (sometimes his own), whether they were there voluntarily or not. His Army friends missed their families and homes, and Nate promised himself that after he was back “on the outside,” he wouldn’t forget them.

In Chicago, I bought an overnight bus ticket to Manhattan, Kansas, thrilled to be reuniting with my true love at last. On July 25, after graduation festivities at Ft. Riley, we planned to drive the 8 hours to his parents’ home in western Illinois for the weekend. His brother, also in the service, was stationed in Delaware, so he wouldn’t be with us. But I could get better acquainted with his folks, and the four of us could talk wedding details.

July 20, 1969 – Dear Nathan (more from his mother). We are expecting you and Margaret to arrive here on Friday, July 25, about nine o’clock. We’ve written to all the relatives, telling them the news of your engagement. We plan to have it announced in the newspaper before you get here.

July 20, 1969 – Dear Nate. Did you get my goodie package? Have you eaten all the cookies yet? That was a double batch, by the way. I hope your cadet-mates gave you a little assistance. I’m so glad when you tell me you’ve shared what I’ve sent. I think of the guys who don’t get many letters and stuff, and they need encouragement and goodies, too.

July 20, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Your goodie package was outstanding! Thank you from me and the men of Co. B, 2^nd Bn, 3^rd Plt, for the cookies, gum, and chocolates. We all look forward to the “Nyman call” every day. Thanks, honey, you’re so fabulous and understanding! And when you wrote a while ago that “nobody is going to get more mail than my Nate,” I got so excited I wanted to shower you with love and provide you with whatever you wanted. I want to please you!

July 21, 1969 – Dear Nate. I just went to check the mail. Darn – no mail today because of the holiday about putting men on the moon. But it was pretty fantastic. I can’t believe our separation will be done in only 4 more days! And I hope never to be away from you for that long again!

July 21, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I’ve been thinking about friends we know who are also in the military. We’ll send letters and packages to Ron, Ken and others to keep their morale up. When I’m out of the service, I want to join the American Legion and support service clubs. People ought to remember servicemen. Meg and Nate will. We’ll snow our friends in the service with photos of our 4 papooses named after Army posts!

July 21, 1969 – Dear Nate. I just finished drawing up a complete guest list for the rehearsal dinner, which your parents are waiting for, and I’m afraid to submit it to them. Man oh man, it’s big – 58 people! I haven’t talked it over with Mom yet, though, so I may be doing it wrong. And if that’s too many, we can sit down together and eliminate a few. I’ll bring the list with me when I come. Somehow it’ll all work out, so don’t worry.

July 21, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Last night I re-read the note you included with your last goodie package. It so moved me that I got down on my knees and thanked the Lord for you. Love to you forever and ever – for eternity!

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)

Young Love (#67)

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Margaret

Knowing Nate and I would be together at Ft. Riley in 4-5 days didn’t stop the heavy flow of letters between us. Writing back and forth had become a well-established daily habit, a long-distance way of spending time with each other, and we both did it with pleasure.

While Americans were celebrating the first man on the moon, we were “over the moon” about our relationship — and glad to be only 4 months away from our wedding day. Almost as exciting was my yet-unplanned move to Champaign to establish our first apartment — only a month away (we hoped).

July 19, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I love the card you sent that says you’re saving kisses for me. I am anxious to get them! I love you so much, and oh how I miss you! I’ve saved all your letters and pictures. What a scrapbook for our kidlets and grandkidlets to read one day!

July 20, 1969 – Dear Nate. I hope the Army allowed you guys to experience the thrill of the first manned rocket on the moon. I prayed all during the evening service and CCClub afterwards that the Lord would somehow postpone the first step on the moon until we could get to a TV. We raced to Connie’s apartment and got there at 9:50… just as his foot was coming out of the LM! Pastor Sweeting said (during his evening sermon) that he thinks this new command over space will cause a fresh awareness of the reality of God and His power. I agree!

July 20, 1969 – Dearest Meg. In just a few days I will see you! I’m going to hug and kiss you and bite your ears!!! I just thrive in the security of your love. Today I got up early, went to the Laundromat on base, polished my boots, spent time reading Scripture, and soon will study my squad leader’s manual. Later I’ll go to the chapel here. When you come at the end of the week, I want to show you an Army chapel. Though they don’t generally compare in physical features to civilian churches, the Holy Spirit can do its work there as well.

July 20, 1969 – Dear Nate. Thank you for your expensive phone call. How I appreciated it! It was a terrific boost for me, and I pretended we had been on a date together. Beautiful. I had Sunday dinner with the folks and Aunt Agnes today, and your name came up repeatedly at the table. Aunt Agnes loved that you sent her a birthday card and said, “I think Nate is kind of a chum-y person, don’t you?” That’s her description of “friendly,” coming from the old term “chum” or pal. And once again my parents brought up the letter you wrote them. Dad actually went and got it, and read it silently… again. Mom said, “Why don’t we let Margaret read it?” but Dad defended you and said, “I’m not so sure he meant this to be passed around.” (They didn’t know you’d already told me what was in it.) Mom finally convinced Dad to let me read it, since I hadn’t seen the actual letter. I was so proud of you and what you wrote – the perfect things. They all agreed that you are “a thoughtful person” and are glad we are marrying. I’m so happy about that!

“Truth springs up from the earth, and righteousness smiles down from heaven. Yes, the Lord pours down his blessings.” (Psalm 85:11-12)

Young Love (#66)

Posted on January 10, 2017 by Margaret

I continued to attend family get-togethers and church functions in Chicago as a single girl without her partner, repeatedly explaining where Nate was and why he wasn’t with me. But I took heart in knowing that soon I’d be able to stop explaining and start introducing!

Although there was still the possibility that Nate would have to go to Vietnam, it seemed unlikely, and we never talked about it. But with Nate in a military environment learning how to wage war, I’m sure it was on his mind.

July 18, 1969 – Dearest Meg, future Wife. Last night before I went to sleep, I thought of how secure I was in your love. I could go directly to Vietnam from here for a year and never doubt you lovingly awaiting my return. That you love me makes me the most fortunate man in the world. And I never tire of looking at your beauty and telling you of it. You are an enchanting woman.

July 18, 1969 – Dear Nate. Thank you for the wonderful letter I received today. It’s so encouraging to hear you say so many nice things about me. I love you for giving me a lot more credit than I deserve! Thank you so much.

July 19, 1969 – Dearest Fiancée. I wish I could describe in words my feelings – after a hot, dusty day in the field, coming back to a letter from you. If I could describe that, I would be a Tolstoy. I just shaved “out of my helmet” which is better done in the evening while there’s still daylight. We rise so early each morning, it’s still dark out – hard to see what I’m doing!

July 19, 1969 – Dear, DEAR Nate. My parents keep mentioning your letter and how pleased they were with it. They are already thinking of you as part of our family. I attended a church function last night, and they were there, too. Dad mentioned how glad he was about our wedding, and he’s far more enthusiastic than I’d ever hoped! Mom, too, is really excited.

July 19, 1969 – Dearest Meg, my Love. You are the best thing in my life. You come before law, the Army, and everything else. And together we will worship the Lord. I love to pray. I especially love our prayer times together, asking for guidance, power, and strength. I thank Him many times a day for you and for our love. I believe He is blessing us in this separation. He’s making us love each other more and more and more. (But I do wish you were here in this pup tent with me!)

July 19, 1969 – Dear Nate. You remember my friend Connie. Tonight she threw a big party for her folks’ 25^th wedding anniversary after working very hard on it. There was dinner and then a mock wedding, and Connie was the bride, wearing her mother’s bridal gown. I sang a duet with another friend. We hammed it up on “Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life.” People laughed at all the right places. Pastor Sweeting came up afterwards and said, “You should sing for us on Sunday evening in the main auditorium. How about 8:45 pm?” Of course the auditorium is empty by 8:30. As he turned to go, he said, “I’m anxious to tie that knot!” Me too!

July 19, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I just got a letter from my brother, who said he got a leave to be at our wedding on 29 November. So he will definitely be my best man. By the way, I don’t think you should take the pill when we’re married. If there is even one chance in a trillion that it would injure you, I would never want you to use it. I love you!

July 19, 1969 – Dear Nate. Everybody here is anxious to meet you, all the people at the church. You’ll be going through a lot of introductions, I’m afraid. But you’re so good at a friendly hand-shake, I hope it won’t be too painful for you. I’m so proud of you and can’t wait to “show you off!” (That’s a compliment, in case it didn’t sound like one.) I’m especially glad I won’t have to say, “I wish you were here” much longer… because you will be! Yipeeeee!