I'm continuing my series of scanning, transcribing, and annotating my grandfather's love letters to my grandmother leading up to their marriage in June 1940. The letters are chronologically organized and preserved, using the methods I discuss in detail in my book, Creating Family Archives: A Step-by-Step Guide for Saving Your Memories for Future Generations
In this letter, Grandpa returns from his weekend trip to Paterson. He drove down with Otto (I'm assuming) on Friday night after work and returned on Sunday night. I wonder what Grandma and Grandpa did while he was in town? Did they see at show at the Fabian Theater?
I've tried to figure out who "Buttercups Curl" was, but I was unsuccessful. It sounds like a 1930s cartoon character or musician!
I believe that this is the portrait that Grandpa's referring to. It's the only formal portrait we have of my Grandma during that time.
Grandma's portrait
My uncle framed it and cut a piece out of the back to reveal her note:
Grandma's note to Grandpa
In this letter, Grandpa mentions that Grandma would move to Scranton after they got married. I imagine that this was the plan all along, but perhaps while they were visiting, she was nervous about moving away from her friends and family to a new town. Grandma wasn't very outgoing, so I could see that a big move would be a concern.
1/22/40 - 8:00 PM
Scranton Penna.
Dear Ann
I could not get home soon enough to write this letter to you. The few short hours I spent with you has given a great deal of pep. I cleaned up a number of things in work today because of that added pep.
We arrived here at about 10 P.M. I fell asleep a few times on the way up but as soon as we got here I was wide awake again. It was not as cold as it was when we drove down. There is a full moon and a clear sky now and the temperature has gone up to about 20 degrees. Although I had a good night's sleep, I hated to get up this morning. I wanted to stay in bed and continue to dream I was having about you. Perhaps when I go to bed tonight it will continue where it left off this morning.
One of the married women in the office kidded me about how my hair was standing on end. She said it looked like Buttercups Curl.
As I am writing this letter I have your picture before me and your smile warms my heart. It really helps very much. I now see you ever [sic] morning and night but can't wait until I can really and truly see and be you every morning, noon and night.
Perhaps by June there may be other people from Paterson working here with whom we may visit at times when we are married. If I hear more about the above I will let you know.
I went down to the bank noon time and started an account. It was a relief to put the extra money I had in a safe place than on my person.
I must close this letter now as I have a number of things to do before I go to bed to dream of you, my love. With all my love I remain your ever loving
"Newt"
.***
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