Although Nate’s schedule in law school was set in stone for the next couple of years, mine was in limbo. The teacher shortage in Chicago (allowing me to teach without certification) was ending, and my job was in jeopardy. Both Nate and I were frustrated by the long distance between us, and we decided to explore a possible teaching job for me in Champaign.
One problem looming was that our 4 parents were unaware of how fast we were moving. Most of my friends hadn’t even met Nate, and vice versa for him. We hoped none of this would slow us down, but I got an inkling it would when I told Mom. One evening I drove to Wilmette, and in a quiet moment I said, “I’ve decided to marry Nate Nyman.”
She balked… and I knew I should have led up to it more gently. But the cat was out of the bag, so I kept going. “We’re thinking about getting engaged this Christmas and married next summer.”
Mom’s face showed she was scrambling for a reason why that shouldn’t happen. I knew she considered it to be too soon. But I had no intention of bending to anything she would say and simply thought, “She’ll come around.”
May 10, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I want to earn all the money for your ring in tough, sweaty jobs (the Army’s summer camp and the factory!). How’s that for being romantic? If the 8 months before Christmas present no blocks (and I know they won’t), we’ll be formally engaged. We will declare to the public what we know in our hearts and believe to be true.
May 10, 1969 – Dear Nate. Yesterday I went to the Chicago Board of Education and discovered I need one more course before I can be certified to teach again in Chicago. I’m sure I have enough courses to get certified in the state, though, and to teach in Champaign or Urbana. Our principal met with us (the uncertified teachers) and said we should start looking for other jobs. I’m glad you and I talked about this. Thanks for helping me by sending the addresses for the 2 Boards of Ed there. I’ve written them both for info and employment possibilities.
May 10, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Thank you so much for your wonderful call. I love to hear you talk, and especially sweet is your giggle when I tell you how beautiful and sexy you are. I love you very, very much! After your call I was asleep when one of my men woke me out of my dreams of you, needing me to let him in his room.
May 11, 1969 – Dear Nate. I spent all of last evening with Mary and Bervin, the most fantastic of relatives, asking them questions about decisions they made before they got engaged. But their circumstances and ours are quite different. They got to see each other every day for 2 years. They do support us, though, as long as we’re sure, and said they are positively impressed with you. They mentioned how important it was to get family approval all around, and we both already want that… though I know we don’t have it yet. And here’s what I’m wondering. Do you think we could get married in January?
May 11, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I want to tell you how pleased I am with your idea about a January marriage! If you started the year here as a teacher and I got an extra job (and maybe a loan), I’m certain we could afford it. If you come down here to work, we should get engaged before you come. July or August of this summer? From July to January is a 5 or 6 month engagement (enough to prove to the world you’re not pregnant).
“God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:33)