Young Love (#67)

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!