Things are getting serious!
After three months and 17 letters, he finally wrote it. “I love you very much, and that ain’t no song title.”
Jeez dad, took you long enough.
It’s been fun watching him dance around the subject, saying something close to the word without actually saying it. In previous letters it’s clear they’re seeing each other just about every weekend. They’re going to football games and dances. She’s getting in trouble for staying out too late. He’s writing letter after letter, insisting she always write him back.
It’s only 3 months into their relationship and he’s already getting sentimental. In his 16th letter he tells her that he’s going back and reading her old letters.
“Your first letter was just small talk but between your first and second letters I had my first date with you. That didn’t take very long did it. Then the next couple letters included insults, broken resolves, apples, lobsters and the beginning of a few more specific affectionate – – – er – – tones. Oh yes, shorthand seems to have entered a few times too. More damn fun. We make an awfully charming couple if our letters indicate anything.”
And then in the next letter, he’s still dancing around before using “the little four letter word” in his signoff.
“Heck, I don’t know what the matter is with me. I don’t know whether you realize it or not but this is getting more and more serious. At least I think so and I hope you do. Things are beginning to creep up on us. I don’t mean what you think I mean, either. I don’t mean only the physical aspects, but mainly the little four letter word. As you can see this is getting all mixed up so I’ll shut up. I’ve said too much already.”
I’m reading all these letters for the first time as I post them. So seeing this play out has been, to use a word I rarely use, delightful. I’m just picturing a befuddled 18 year old falling hard for this girl and trying to figure out how to express himself. Sometimes successfully, sometimes less so. Unlike mom, who generally wore her heart on her sleeve, dad was more restrained. So seeing this side of him has been fun. I can’t wait to see how things progress.
Two things I wish for. I wish we had my mom’s letters back to him. He mentions bits and pieces of letters she’s written, but not enough to give a good idea of how she’s responding. I also wish we’d known about these letters while they were still alive. The conversations our family could have had…