112 Letters Home: Monday, September 25, 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.