Young Love (#63)

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Margaret

Both Nate and I were longing so much to be married that we began fantasizing about it in our letters. I wrote an eight-page epistle describing how I hoped our married life would be — the imagined story of one evening, overnight, and the following morning. Because I wrote in vivid detail, I won’t share it here. But I loved the process of running ahead into our marriage, and I know Nate loved reading of how eager I was to be his wife.

Nate was trying to freshen up our correspondence, too. He bought a dozen postcards, wrote on all of them while he was out on field exercises, and mailed them all on the same day. They were full of joy and anticipation but also feelings of loneliness.

July 14, 1969 – Meg. This weekend without you has been very lonely – one hour without you, even if I’m with a thousand guys at Ft. Riley, is lonely. Without Meg, I’m lonely in a crowd. Love, Nate

July 15, 1969 – Dear Nate. In addition to the marriage stories I’m writing for you, today I wrote the story of our engagement for the local newspaper, to be put in the announcement section. Your mother wrote and asked for a picture of me and a copy of the short article so she could place it in your home town paper, too. She is working on the rehearsal dinner and has asked for my suggestions of a restaurant near Moody Church. And it sounds like she’s ready to finalize her guest list, pending your approval when we visit them after your graduation.

July 15, 1969 – Dear Meg. My relatives from New York, Florida, and Wheaton are visiting my folks in August. Maybe we can see them? Plus we’ll have your birthday, mine, camp, Bob’s wedding [Nate’s friend],and a plan for our wedding. Wow! What an August! Love, Nate

July 16, 1969 – Dear Nate. I’ve been all over the place today, shopping, meeting a girlfriend for lunch, running around in the Loop. One of those street photographers caught me on film, and I look like I’m on my way to a circus with my polka-dot dress. It was hot out! I saw a doctor, and we talked at length about “the pill.” It sounds controversial. He said that blood clots are the most serious threat, and about the only real doubt in most physicians’ minds The other stuff about diabetes is more myth than anything at this stage. He didn’t pressure me at all. So that’s just one more thing for us to talk about and decide.

July 16, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I’m looking forward to those days, after camp, after this autumn, after November 29^th when I wake up with you in the morning, eat breakfast and pray with you, and plan the day with you. Being a law student, Army officer and civilian lawyer will be even better because you’re my wife.

July 17, 1969 – Dear Nate. This goodie package [cookies, photos, sentimental items] was tossed together in a flash, but I hope you enjoy it. Besides, thinking of those other guys down at Ft. Riley who might be getting goodie packages when you are NOT, just makes me feel awful. No one is going to get more packages or letters or surprises than my Nate! Love, Meg.

May 17, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Once we are married, every experience will be better with you: each tragedy mitigated, each success heightened, when you are my wife. I’ll thank the Lord eternally for a love for you and from you that will last forever. I miss you. My heart yearns for you. I know I can’t live without you.

“God has made everything appropriate in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Young Love (#58)

Posted on January 2, 2017 by Margaret

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)

Young Love (#57)

Posted on January 1, 2017 by Margaret

My life in Chicago was easy compared to what Nate was experiencing in the Army. He was suffering through some hard days (and nights) of living in the field, stripped of every comfort. He was exhausted, dirty, hungry, and longing for his fiancée. Meanwhile, I was happily shopping for a wedding gown and helping my parents sort through mountains of creature comforts they no longer needed. It was the story of two extremes.

July 12, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Thanks for the sweetest card I’ve ever seen! That picture of Meg with a trace of a shiner is so cute! I could hug, kiss, and squeeze you for a week! Down here I am really tired. We’ve been up every morning between 4:00 and 5:00 and been kept busy till midnight or 1:00 AM every night. Today we ran a reconnaissance patrol – 27 men, 27 rifles and a radio, etc. We walked about 15 miles in the heat, and my underwear and clothes were soaked! I’ve had to wear the same clothes for 5 days. No showers. This is rough, but it makes a person appreciate civilian life. Every man owes this to the U.S. When I think of what some men have sacrificed, my little suffering is microscopic.

July 12, 1969 – Dear Nate. My life is so different here than yours at Ft. Riley. I’ve been helping Mom and Dad sort through a lifetime of belongings. You’re operating with nothing, and they have too much. But… there’s an up-side. Since they have to get rid of so much, let’s think seriously about taking some of it. Dad’s father made some really nice glass-front book cases back in the late 1800’s. (Remember, Dad was born in 1899!) Those might be nice for all your law books.

July 12, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Thank you for your last fabulous letter! I could hug and kiss you forever! My love grows daily, and I am so excited about our engagement. You are the most fabulous woman in the world! I love you! And I also say, just wait until November 29! Love and kisses! I think of you every minute – every minute!!! I think about things you’ve said and done and your and my prayers, and your body. I realize again how magnificent you are and how fortunate I am. I’ll love you forever!

July 13, 1969 – Dear Nate, my Loved One. I just returned from shopping for a wedding gown! But before I tell you about it, I want to thank you for all your letters filled with so many words of love. I appreciate every penned word. And I love you very much! Getting ready for our wedding is the most fun I’ve ever had, for lots of reasons. Nov. 29 can’t come fast enough for me! Today I tried on all kinds of gowns and about drooled over their beauty. I’m not ready to decide, because I want to look some more, and of course I have to run the prices past Dad. But I did decide a few things. I want an off-white dress made of heavy satin. It’s a very rich-looking fabric. I don’t mean in money but in thickness and quality, you know, sort of like a “rich” pastry. I’ve also decided on a high collar with lace of some kind. I hope to get a long train that will drag 3-4 feet behind the dress, and a floor-length veil. I’m going to pitch in for the extra costs of some of this. Dad will probably say I can’t, but I’m going to try. And I don’t want a veil over my face, because when I walk down the aisle, I don’t want anything obstructing my view!