Monday, September 25, 1944 - Monday, October 2, 1944

They're Married! Oh my GOSH! THEY'RE MARRIED!  I think I'm more excited than Grandma is!  She's so matter of fact!  Although, you can see her joy peaking out behind the typeface.

"I wish that you could have been here for the wedding.  I was really a scared kid. Bud told me that I looked beautiful.  I had a beautiful orchid corsage.  The pictures came out beautifully.  I will send them to you as soon as we have the money to pay for them and get them developed.  We have just seen the proofs and they are really good.  Bud looked good.  He had on a new set of tailor-made blues.  My legs shook during the whole ceremony, but otherwise I was OK.  They took a picture during the ceremony so you can see that too, one of us as we came out of the church and then the others we posed for.  We are so pleased with the pictures."

It's those emotional flashes that bring a grin to my face.  She needs to bring those out more and stop cataloging presents.  I don't care about the presents! I want to know about the ceremony! Well, when you're blessed with generous friends during wartime, you count your material blessings.

We have received some more nice presents.  Donna and George O'Brien the people from Chicago that we met on the train, sent us $5.  Chief Boatswain (works in my office) and his girl friend who is a WAVE gave us two beautiful bath towels, two hand towels and wash rags.  4 of the WAVES gave us 4 sheets and pillow cases.  Beverly's family sent us a beautiful Irish lin(e)n tablecloth (white).  At the wedding dinner I was presented with a can opener from the best man, a cook book from my new mother-in-law and Bud gave me a Mammouth crossword puzzle.  He always teases me about working them as I can't get out of the habit of them.  They were presented to me with cute little speeches."

Crossword puzzles were prevalent on both sides of my family.  Both Grandmas and a my Great Aunt Betty worked them each day.  There was even a phone tree in place.  Each would call the others for answers until eventually they would forget who had what answers and end up in a mass of giggling phone lines.

Grandma's only regret for her wedding day was that her family was not there.  

"Mother, Bud is a very considerate and wonderful husband and I am as happy as can be.  I haven't been feeling to good lately and he has waited on me hand and foot. ... I certainly wish you could have been here, but I seemed to feel that you were there in spirit with Peg and Daddy.  I know he would have approved of Bud wholeheartedly, as I know you will.  I only hope we can get a leave soon."

Family is knowing how to find the bliss in between the lines.  Especially when you knew them for a fleeting moment in this ever changing world.

Happy what-would-have-been 70th wedding anniversary!

70 years ago today

Tuesday, September 19, 1944

Transfers in the Navy or any military branch are common.  They often come at inopportune times, especially when a person is about to experience a major life event.

" The reason I didn't write last week is a long one.  I was very upset. They have combined our office with two other offices and I was up for transfer.  I was so afraid that I would be transferred out of Miami.  It just so happened that I know the most about Navy routine and they decided to keep me.  Thank heavens!  I just found that out yesterday."

Had you going for a second didn't I?

Grandma was so anxious about her potential transfer, she forgot what she wrote in her previous letter.  She re-thanks my Great-Grandmother for the same gifts as her last letter.  However, Grandma's roommate Bev gave her the best wedding present.

"Also, Saturday night I came home and had two big packages at the foot of my bed.  Bev gave me a whole set of dishes.  They are Vanity Fair by Nancy Lee and have 22 carat gold on them.  They are beautiful.  She gave me 8 dinner plates, 8 cups and saucers, 8 salad plates, 8 soup bowls, 8 smaller bowls, two big bowls, 1 platter, cream and sugar.  I was certainly surprised and thrilled.  Also, Mary, Dottie, Marietta and Bev gave me a beautiful white nightgown with a white chiffon negligee.  I am really beginning to feel like a bride."

I've seen one photo of both sets of grandparents' weddings.  The joy on their faces make them the happiest wedding photos I have ever seen.  It's not about the reception, the flowers, or the amazing food served afterwards.  It's that they will wake up tomorrow morning next to the person they will see every morning until death does part them.  They didn't get married for the wedding, they got married for the marriage.

Betty and her Gift Givers

On this day in 1944

Friday, September 8, 1944

They are getting married on September 26, 1944!  At exactly 7 PM!.  The wedding presents are already starting to roll in!  Lots of exclamation points!!!!

"I got the nightgown and the slip, pants and luncheon set.  I am thrilled with everything and they all just fit me.  The pants look so cute.  I can't wear the pants at the wedding because I am wearing a girdle and they would show.  I will put them on with my white uniform.  The slip just fits perfectly.  I still have the white slip you and Daddy gave me at Xmas time too.  I will write Peggy today and tell her."

Everything keeps coming up roses for Grandma and Grandpa: they have found an apartment they like, but there might be one hitch:

"We have a lead on that cute apartment that I told you about.  The man is getting in from Baltimore today and he wrote and told me that he would contact me.  He wants his apartment back, which is downstairs and by law he has to give the people that are in it now 90 days notice.  He might have to live in the one we want until they vacate.  He says if he can he will live elsewhere so we can have the one we want.  I am hoping and praying everything turns out OK.  It is such a cute space and in a nice neighborhood and is cool, and that is the main thing."

For a second I thought Grandma was saying that the apartment is awesome, but I quickly understood that when she said "cool" she actually meant the temperature of the place.  I had to think outside of my central air and heating brain for a second.  This is 1944 Miami after all.  Apartments in Georgia even now don't have central air and heating which is silly.  I cannot imagine 1940s Miami in the heat. Heck yes, give me the basement apartment that is like a cave.  I will buy ice blocks and sit on them. Thank you.

The only kink in their wedding plans is the dinner after the ceremony.  The San Juan restaurant is not really understanding the whole we are at war economy thing.  They are trying to up-charge my Grandparents since it is their wedding.

"We were going to have a dinner out at the San Juan after the wedding, but to have a cake they would charge $15, flowers on the table $15, service, $20 and then the food would come to around $30, so Bud and I are looking for another place.  I think that is just awful.  That was for only 7 people.  Prices are really high down here and they don't mind soaking the service men."

The wedding industry at its finest.

On October 15, 1944