Wedding planning is in full swing! My Great-Grandma Robinson and possibly one of Great-Aunts is coming down to Miami from September 15 - 30 for the wedding. They're going to stay in the apartment that my Grandparents are going to move into after the wedding. The wedding plans are as follows:
"A WAVE is allowed to wear civilian clothes if she wants when she is married and that is what I want. After all, you only get married once, and I'd like to be in a dress. I want to get a white one or else a pale blue. Beverly is going to be a bridesmaid. She is home on leave now. She isn't sure whether or not she will wear her uniform or bring a dress back with her. I don't care what she does on that score. We are going to be married at Bud's church. We going to see the minister tonight so we will get full details on what to do. I think we will be married around 7 o'clock. After the wedding we are going to a very ritzy restaurant, the San Juan, and have dinner for the immediate bridal party. Later on we might be able to have a small party at our apartment for the kids. I can't see our way clear for a reception. It is too expensive. Anyway, I don't want too large a wedding because I feel it is too soon after Daddy dying. I only wish that some of my family could be here, but I guess that is wishful thinking."
In the end, Grandma's wedding suit was a pale pink. Now that Grandma is getting married everyone in the barracks is also getting hitched.
"The girls at the barracks all think it is wonderful. Dottie Thomas is going to be married next week. Just because Bud and I started it she and Whitey got the bug. She lives across the hall from me. Also, the girl who lives next door to me is getting married."
There are weddings left and right in WWII. Courtships were swiftly followed by engagements and marriages. People entered into lifelong contracts after knowing that person for a matter of months. Their faith in humanity shining brightly from their wedding pictures. Urgency produced by WWII played a huge role in these marriages, but both sets of my grandparents were married until the day they died. I'm in awe of their steadfastness and ability to maintain their relationships. I can only hope that I have the same strength and conviction to turn to my boyfriend everyday and say, "I choose you."
