In 1969, greeting card companies came out with a line of tall, narrow contemporary cards focused on soldiers, military life, and the loved ones at home. Each card cost 25 cents, much pricier than plain paper, so Nate and I didn’t often send them to each other.

But in one last blast of letters to hit the “Nyman mail call” at Ft. Riley, I sent 10 contemporary cards, writing my personal messages on the backs and sometimes all around the drawings inside. I wanted Company B to know that Cadet Nyman was loved a whole lot!

Soon Nate and I would be communicating face-to-face, and though I was overjoyed at the prospect, I felt a twinge of sadness at discontinuing the back-and-forth written record of our romance. Writing to each other had been a special joy during this unique season of our relationship.

July 22, 1969 – Dearest Meg, Fiancée, future Wife, Lover, Mother. I have prayed about the upcoming year in law school, your teaching there, and for all the wedding arrangements we’ll make in August. Worry and frustration are signs of the carnal man. Having both prayed about our problems, we shouldn’t worry. I don’t feel upset about them after prayer. I know the Lord will take good care of us. I am praying about this every day.

July 22, 1969 – Dear Nate. Our friends Carole and Reggie are on the way to my apartment as I write, to deliver my bridesmaid gown to wear in their wedding. It will be great to see them again! So that means you’ll be standing up in one wedding, and I’ll be in another – both in August. I’m wondering how we’re going to get all these days off from our counseling at the camp. The director isn’t going to be very happy about me asking for two additional days now, one for the rehearsal and one for the wedding. Well, as Doris Day sings, what will be will be.

July 21, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Tuesday night I am making a special prayer at about “lights out” time here, 10:00. Will you join me? Let’s pray at the same time about the same subjects, committing all our uncertainties to the Lord. Just 3 more days, Sweetheart. Get rested up and ready to receive an hour of hugs and kisses!

July 22, 1969 – Dear Nate. Tomorrow evening I’ll be climbing on a Greyhound bus to come to you! I’ve decided to arrive early on the day before your graduation to make sure I get there in case your commanding officer gives you extra off-base time at the last minute. I’ll be leaving Chicago on a 7:30 PM bus bound for St. Louis on July 23. In St. Louis I’ll transfer to another bus (4:30 AM, July 24), and from there will go directly to Manhattan, arriving at 10:00 AM that morning. If I can’t see you until Friday the 25th, don’t worry. I’ll be at the Holiday Inn and will be fine.

July 22, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Two more days! Hugging and kissing you will be my dream come true! I’ve made many new friends here at Ft. Riley and have determined that all servicemen need Christ. Though our suffering is little compared to His sacrifice, soldiers need faith in Him to preserve their sanity – and their place in eternity. A Christ-filled life enables a person to withstand great privation and hardship. And the Lord takes care of His own.

“I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father… I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome…” (1 John 2:14)