My Darling Gene,
I have before me about 15 of your letters I've received in the last few days. I literally live in each one. I also have some of your pictures before me, so all in all I am very close to you. Not nearly close enough though, my darling. Nothing can quite substitute actually being there with you and holding you in my arms. The thought of that day is the main thing that supplies me with my daily endurance. Sweetheart, I love you very dearly. Do you know that?
My dear wife, I'm sure nothing could ever make me forget the time we saw "Wilson." How well I remember that blouse you wore. Your very mention of it thrilled me beyond description. Will you wear it again for me when I come back, huh? The most recent letter I have from you was mailed on the 22nd. It was so sweet, but how could it be otherwise when such a sweet girl talks like that to her husband.
My darling, I love you for so many things. You are so thoughtful about my family and always sending them such nice little things. They all love you so very much. You needn't worry about them forming any exaggerated opinions about you. They love you because you are so sweet, clean and thoughtful--in fact, almost an embodiment of all the virtues. But then they don't know you as well as I do or they couldn't help but love you much more.
Then too, my sweetheart, you mention about your missionary work with that girl. You needn't say "maybe I will be a missionary," because anyone who lives daily as you do is a missionary, my sweetheart. The bishop sent me that paper with the picture of the ward reunion too. It came before the one you sent me. I picked you out right away, you little rascal. How come you and Evelyn were so close to the front? I expected to find you in the back--whispering to each other. Now that I have two, I think I'll send one home, you know, and sort of advertise Adam's ward. You know I'm a full-fledged member there now, so I ought to kinda help boast, don't you think, haha.
No, my darling, I'm sure you don't miss my letters any more than I miss yours, or vice versa. It makes me feel bad too when I know that it is impossible for my mail to reach you. I really love to write you daily, sweetheart. It's the only outlet I have for my pent-up feelings. It's the nearest thing I have to talking to you.
I am surprised about you meeting Reese Olsen. Yes, we were at Farragut together. He is a fine fellow. He and three others had quite a good quartet. Apparently he is now detached with the Marines. If you see him again, tell him hello for me.
Gene, that was a very lovely birthday card you send me, and the pictures you sent me, as I told you, were wonderful. Don't feel bad about not being able to send me anything else. Your love is sufficient, my darling. We will yet have plenty of time for other things.
Well, my sweetheart, I'm hoping I'll get another letter from today. No matter how much I get, I always want more. I can never get enough of you, my love. All my love is enclosed in this letter, my dearest, and if it were possible, I would enclose myself. Your ardent husband, Perry
P.S. You never did tell me (or I haven't received the letter) about the Gold & Green ball you went to with your cousin. Sweetheart, I think of you all the time. Don't remember what I was thinking about on the 17th (18th for me) but I do remember of thinking you would probably be going to the Gold & Green ball with your cousin. My darling, I think of you so much that it's hard to tell if I think of you more at one time than another. I love you very earnestly, my love. Forever yours, Perry
April 29, 1945
Hello My Lovely Wife,
I think of you constantly, my darling, but today I was completely lost without you. I went to church (ashore) and I guess that is about the most I have missed you since I left. That is the first time I have been to church since I was with you, and it was so wonderful to have you with me then. I guess I just felt that you just naturally belonged by my side--and it is right that I should. I did enjoy it today quite a lot though. It seemed so good after being away from it for five months.
I also met my former high school basketball coach and also a fellow I knew at Farragut. I was glad to see them and they seemed to respond mutually. My former coach is now a lieutenant in the Navy. I only felt as though half of me were there, so it was impossible for me to enjoy it to the fullest extent. After church I missed you more because there were so many interesting things we could have done together.
Oh well, our time is coming and we are really going to make up for the time we have lost, aren't we, huh? When I saw everyone else ( or at least a good many of them) going away in couples to enjoy the afternoon together, I realized, I think more than ever, how hard it must be for you back there seeing everyone going on dates and coupling off while you either have to be an extra or else just stay home while your husband is so far away and for so long. Doesn't it make you sometimes regret being a "war bride" and the wife of a sailor who can be with you so little?
I know you are very brave, my darling, and I love you so much for it. I know that courage, bravery, and heroism are not only found on the battlefield, but often possessed and displayed to a much greater degree by those who anxiously wait at home. Darling, those qualities which made me love you when I first knew you have made me love you constantly more and more daily, and will make me love you throughout all eternity. I do love you with all my soul, my darling.
I received some candy and a fruitcake from Hazel, Hope and June today. It was for my birthday. It was mailed April 4th. Your package hasn't arrived as yet. I guess it is still trying to catch up with me while theirs came direct to this place. I will get it sometime though, sweetheart.
I hope you are feeling better now that the mail situation has improved, or at least it should have. I can understand your anxiety when you went for so long without any mail, and I'm sure you know that had it been humanly possible, I would have written you. You do know that, don't you sweetheart?
Did I tell you I have the other $50 to send you. It's in a money order, and I will mail it in a separate letter tomorrow. It's yours, darling, to go in with your own account to do with as you see fit. Do you know that I am completely out of debt now? Guess your husband isn't much of a money maker (yet anyway) but what I lack financially I will try to make up in love. Will that suit you for a while? Goodnight for now, my love. I love you very dearly. Always yours, Perry
April 30, 1945 (Monday)
My sweetheart husband,
Another letter came today. You wrote it April 25. Oh how happy these letters have made me. When I received your April 24th letter Saturday, I just cried. Then I knelt on my knees and thanked our Father in Heaven for your letters which told me of your safety and that you had received all your letters. It had been such a long time.
Perry, there is something I do not understand in your last letter. Please tell me what you mean. You see, I have the impression that you will not come back till the war is over in the Pacific. Well, you said, "We will have another honeymoon when I come back, at least as long as the Navy will let me." What did you mean, Perry? Do you think you might have a leave or something before the end of the war? Perry, I want you back soon--but for good too. I don't want to give you up again and I do want our honeymoon to last forever.
 |
| Gene writes, "Wish you could have been here to push me, Perry" |
Yes, Perry, I would like very much to read the book you are reading. I want to be a good wife to you, Perry. I'm so glad if you are pleased with me too. Now I must tell you what I have been doing: The stenographer in Daddy's office, Miss Nellie Card, has become quite interested in Mormonism and Daddy invited her to come to church Sundays. So she has been coming for the past 3 Sundays. I've been taking her to the classes and introduced her to everyone. She likes us so well. The missionaries are calling on her every week too.
Well, Friday evening we invited her to go with us to the program at church. She asked if viola and I would come to her house for dinner that evening too. So we went to church from her place. She and a girlfriend rent a lovely little place above a garage. It's so modern and pretty. We had a nice dinner and the musical program at the ward was good. The playground was opened that night so everyone ended up out there where they served punch and danced and played volleyball like last summer. Remember? I was so lonesome for you, Perry. I didn't dance but played some pingpong.
Saturday I worked till past noon. Then Viola and I went shopping for some shower gifts. Verna Johnson is expecting her baby soon. There was a shower for her, so I got some cute little booties. Then I got a wedding gift for Avanelle. She and Spence will be married in Salt Lake soon. I must also get wedding gifts for Lois Moaler and for Laura Van Cott. Golly, there have been so many weddings. Looks like we started something at Adams Ward.
Yesterday Nellie wanted to take me horseback riding. Of course I don't know how, but she wants to teach me. I want to learn too. Well, after Sunday School, we went out to her house, put on slacks and took the streetcar to Griffith Park. It took us so long to get there that it was too late and the stables were closing. But we had fun anyway. We did a lot of walking and riding streetcars. The park is beautiful and such a big one. Now we have made a date to go horseback riding next Saturday afternoon--Nellie, Viola and I. I can hardly wait. We will only ride for about an hour tho for the first time. Viola will be learning too. Wish my "cowboy" husband were here to teach me.
I think you asked me once how much money we had in the bank now. I haven't received a statement this month, but Perry I know we have over $500, maybe it's $600. I'll get the exact figures and tell you. About $300 was what I had of my own. I'm just keeping it all in one account, Perry. I think we are doing pretty fine, don't you? Darling, did you get my letter telling about my income tax statement? I forget what I asked you in that letter. It was something pertaining to the income tax.
Oh, I hope you can tell me soon where you have been and what you have been doing. I pray for you always. Must go to bed now. I'll write you again tomorrow, sweetheart. All my love, Gene
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