Once the letters began successfully flying back and forth between Ft. Riley and Chicago, engagement plans began to solidify. Nate’s father owned a jewelry store in the Nyman’s home town and said he could order the ring for us. When we were window shopping together in the Chicago stores, Nate had listened to my comments carefully and knew it should be a narrow band, something simple, in yellow gold.

Unbeknownst to me, he called his father from his post in Kansas and ordered the ring. His plan was to officially propose on the 4^th of July when he hoped I would come for a visit, but there was no guarantee the ring would be set and sent by then.

June 17, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I love you so much and am praying continually for both of us. God hears and rewards prayer with answers. In the book of Romans, Paul says faith is trusting God, and this opens the Christian life. Let’s always pray and have a Christian home for our babies. I’m eager for the 4th of July when you come!

June 17, 1969 – Dear Nate. It’s Monday morning, but I’m home from work today, “sick.” I don’t have the flu or anything, but I laid out in the sun for 5 hours yesterday after church and burned my eyelids so bad they barely open. I’ve been dizzy and nauseated, too. Aspirin helps. I’m so careless.

June 19, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Take it easy on the sun, especially if you ever use a sunlamp. Take good care of yourself! If you come for a visit over the 4^th weekend, train arrangements will have to be made at the last minute. I’m sorry you have to go through that, and do all the arranging, too. But I really need to see you. And I need your love, too – which I know I have.

June 20, 1969 – Dear Nate. You won’t believe this! The one time I neglect to lock my Corvette doors, and the car gets stolen! I about had a heart attack when it wasn’t where I parked it. I called the police, Bervin, Dad, and my insurance man. The police came right over and filled out a long report, but my insurance guy had bad news. He said, “One out of every 3 Corvettes, old or new, is stolen at least once in the life of the car.” I was furious! The police said people steal Corvettes to dismantle them and sell the parts, and whoever took it probably had a garage ready and waiting to do that.

June 20, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I’m really sorry your car was stolen. But perhaps it can serve as a lesson on materialism? Or at least a warning. If they never find it, before you purchase another vehicle, you should check with your father and with Bervin – and you and I should talk about our finances as a couple. It will all work out.

June 20, 1969 – Dear Nate. I talked to the police again to see if my car was found. They said it would probably be found… stripped and sitting on a side street. Drat! Dad was encouraging, though. I figured I was due for a lecture on locking car doors, but it never came. Instead he was very optimistic, saying it might have been time to update my car situation anyway (to something more economical). That gave me hope.

“Count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds.” (James 1:2)