Just as Nate and I were moving happily toward engagement, my old boyfriend called again.
Memories of him had been fading, because my thought-life was filled with Nate and our bright future together. The boyfriend’s phone call threw me for a loop, but after we hung up, I gave it some rational thought and saw a pattern. Though we didn’t have a lot of contact, he did call every few weeks, which always pulled me back into the relationship.
He didn’t want to come between Nate and I but did want a friendship to continue. The problem, however, was at my end. Such a friendship would come at a high price for Nate and thus for me, too, and my greatest longing was for a marriage that would thrive in every way.
So, for once I used common sense. Surely God was answering Nate’s daily prayer request for guidance. And I knew it was time to draw a line in the sand.
Rather than get together socially as he called to do, I drove to his house to tell him face-to-face that Nate and I were about to get engaged. There would be no room for another guy-girl relationship in my life, and so he and I needed to terminate all contact. He didn’t think it had to be that way but said he would honor my request.
It was a difficult task, but it got done.
June 24, 1969 – Dearest Meg. It was a taste of dolce vita the last time we were together. A walk late on a June evening with you is everything. Meg, I love you. Kisses enclosed. P.S. Quit giggling, my little brown bear.
June 24, 1969 – Dear Nate. Your letters are so wonderful and encouraging to my missing you. You are such a stable, well-organized person (even in your thought-life), and oh how I need help in those things! You and I will help each other in many ways. But more than anything, I need you as my partner. I love you dearly, and I’m confident that as the months pass when we are together, we will love more, love deeper, and love in a way that cannot be replaced by anything else, ever. I will always need you and always want you in every way. I love you!
June 25, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Your engagement ring should arrive at your apartment in a few days. Don’t open it! It’s hard being away from you, but I do want to sacrifice to defend the United States of America so that Meg can be safe and so we can live together in liberty. I love you with every fiber of my being. The ultimate in my life is marrying you.
June 25, 1969 – Dear DEAR Nate. I miss our talking times and especially our prayer times… more than I ever dreamed I would.
June 26, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Tomorrow I have KP – up at 3:45 AM and work to 10:00 PM. But that means 4,5,6 July will be completely free. I’ll drive into Topeka on the morning of the 4th and leave the evening of the 6th. Thanks for all the wedding planning lists. You’re a big help now and will help me in the future as a lawyer and lieutenant!
June 26, 1969 – Dear Nate. Guess what! I got my Corvette back!!! It’s an absolutely WILD tale of how the Chicago police found it and how they caught the 2 idiots who stole it. I’ll tell you all about it!
“Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Oh that my actions would consistently reflect [his] decrees!” (Psalm 119:1,5)