Nate and I continued our long-distance courtship with pen and paper, growing in frustration over not being able to be together. But the thought of a reunion over the 4^th of July kept us both going. And if it included a proposal and engagement, so much the better!

Our 4 parents were concerned that we wouldn’t have a chaperone over that weekend, and his parents wrote to Nate, suggesting we invite my folks, or Mary and Bervin to join us. They said they would have volunteered but had important commitments at home then and were unavailable.

Neither Nate nor I wanted any chaperones on that special weekend, so we didn’t invite anyone. Though we’d be staying together in a motel room, we’d made up our minds to hold off on intimacy until marriage, and were determined to resist the temptation.

June 22, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I’ve been out on bivouac for 4 days. We fired rifles all day and slept in tents at night. We put water in our helmets and shaved out of them. I just learned that the letters I wrote to you for three days last week were held till Wednesday by the Army before being mailed. I love you so much that I nearly cry when I realize that I can’t be with you. But Jesus Christ is so real to me here. I talk to Him privately all day long. Our faith is the only way for us.

June 23, 1969 – Dear Nate. Thinking about our wedding and planning for it makes me feel closer to you. I’m thankful you are asking for help about the groom’s duties. I’m enclosing a list of things grooms do, just for your general information. You certainly don’t have to follow it to the letter, but it gives you an idea of what to expect. And since your brother is also in the military and won’t come in till the last minute, you’ll probably have to do his “best man” duties, too.

June 23, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I love you so much. Thank you a billion times for your wonderful letters. And thank you for the postcard with the kisses on it. I especially like what you wrote on the back, that I don’t have to pick, because I can have them all. We got New Testaments today in church. I read through James and half of Romans. I’m also thankful for the Bible you gave me. Like the song says, “You make me so very happy!”

June 23, 1969 – Dear Nate. I wrote your folks to thank them for visiting my parents and driving all that way. It worked out perfectly, and I’m amazed at how timely it all was. So far, everything has gone right. By the way, any time you have had a rough day or been treated unfairly or just want to ask questions about wedding plans, feel free to call me collect (if you can get to a phone). I’ll gladly accept any charges and will tell my roommates not to accept, if I’m not at home.

June 24, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Thank you for taking care of my books and clothes while I’m gone. I think of you every minute. Your blue eyes, beautiful hair, and warm body. I’m really lucky to be marrying you, Meg. And I thank the Lord I can love another person so much. We are running 5 miles every day, but much harder than that is being away from you, my Love. Good luck during this last week of school.

“Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:6)