I had the most vivid dream about you

June 10, 1945 (Sunday)

Dearest husband Perry,

Hello again my darling!  Last week this day you were with me. Oh how sweet it was having you sit there beside me reading the funnies to me. It was all so perfect, Perry, those wonderful days with you. How good the Lord is to us.

Yesterday Generals Patton and Doolittle (of LA) came home and Los Angeles really honored them. There was a big parade for them downtown. (The stores were closed.) Dad and I went to see them. There were a lot of war heros with them too sharing in the honor. Last night there was a huge program put on in their honor in the coliseum where they say 130,000 people came to witness. Margaret Capp and I went to see it. It lasted from 7:30 to 10:30--a very dramatic show. Then the major spoke and also the generals. General Patton surely curses a lot.

I went over to the Capp's house yesterday afternoon to see Genevieve's baby girl. She is such a pretty baby and so sweet. Oh, Perry, I hope I shall have a baby soon. Our baby shall be the very best baby in the world, I know. I love you Perry.

(Monday morning)

Good morning, sweetheart,

I didn't write a very long letter yesterday, did I? After Sunday school, Nellie invited me to her house for dinner--in fact she wanted several girls to come. Most everyone had their afternoons planned tho so it was just Margaret Capp and I who joined her. It certainly was a big dinner and delicious too. Nellie is a wonderful cook. She has such a pretty little apartment out on Adams where she and another girl live. We spent a nice quiet afternoon together, we three.

Last night the chorus sang again. We did quite well too. My husband is rather a popular guy at Adams Ward I think. Darling, everyone is asking me about you, wanting to know how you look, where you have been, etc. I'm so proud of you, sweetheart. I show all my "pretties" that you gave me to my girlfriends when they come over to my place. Oh, Perry, I'm a lucky girl--truly.

I must get this off to you now and hurry off to work. I love you, Perry. Your devoted wife, Gene

June 13, 1945

My Darling Wife,

This is the first letter I have written you since we were together just one week ago today. After being with you and talking with you, it's pretty hard to go back to letter writing. Also, it's so crowded on here that it makes it pretty hard to write very well or concentrate.

Sweetheart, it's good I waited this long to write because I was so mad and disappointed when I didn't even get to call you up before I left. (I've cooled off somewhat now.) I don't know when I have been so angry. There was absolutely nothing I could do about it though--that is what made me so mad. It wasn't so much for myself but because I knew how disappointed you would be to have to have someone else tell you goodbye for me. The only consolation I had though was that there were several others in the same fix. It took us all by surprise.

Darling, I will never forget the wonderful time we had while I was there though and for that I guess I can overlook our abrupt parting--that is if you can. I hope you were able to get your bus ok and arrive back home safe and well and not too worn out.

I can hardly wait until I can receive some of your mail, which will be several days yet, and have you tell me you love me and all about yourself again. I hope you enjoyed yourself just half as much as I did in San Francisco.

Gene, every time I look at my watch, which is quite often, I think of that lovely afternoon you bought it for me and how we missed the street car. You are so very sweet and lovely, my darling wife, and I love you with all my heart. It all only makes me long more for that day when we can be together forever. Then we can do what we want when we want without any Navy to interfere. Our time was so short that I hardly knew how to spend our time to the most advantage. (I guess going to sleep in the movie wasn't a very good way, ahem!) I was satisfied most of the time just to be close to you.

Christmas Day, Salt Lake City, 1945
I dream that truly did come true

I guess if you will notice the date of this letter you will know that I am writing his on our eighth month anniversary. Shortly after I left you, I had the most vivid dream about you. It was the most beautiful dream that I believe I have ever had. It was Christmas and we were together. I woke up just as we were walking down the street amid beautiful falling snow. It caused me to ponder quite a while after. That is one dream I surely hope comes true. Perhaps if not this year, it will next.

Sweetheart, I am going to write you as often as I can from now on, nearly every day if possible because I want you to have a lot of letters from me when it does arrive. I am eagerly looking forward to yours. I love you very much, my darling. Eternally yours, Perry

June 13, 1945 (Wednesday evening)

My darling Perry,

I long for you so very much tonight. I am wondering where you are, what you are doing, and if you are thinking of me too. I have been asking the Lord each day since you left if I might have you back with me soon again. Surely it cannot last much longer this separation. It is so unnatural. But I must have "strength to endure" and "patience to wait" as my blessing tells me. I love you, Perry. I love you.

Perry, I don't think I am pregnant--much to my disappointment. Oh, I did want a baby. What could have happened Perry? Why must I wait? But then there is probably lots of reasons. Tell me what you think, Perry. You know what, I do weigh 122 lbs. Darling, I think I gained some while I was in San Francisco with you. Mother thought I looked quite well--said my face was fuller.

Golly, I really got ambitious this evening. I did a washing, some blouses, pajamas, a dress and a night gown. Then I ironed nearly everything too. Now I am quite tired. Oh, I hope I get a letter from you soon, my darling. Your loving wife, Gene

June 14, 1945

My Darling Wife,

I suppose you are finding it rather difficult by now to write me and I hope you don't get too discouraged before you can get my letters. I'm surely looking forward to your letters because of the way I had to leave you in San Francisco and everything makes me rather concerned. I've met a fellow on board that I knew in Farragut. He is just a passenger. We, five in all, had an LDS service last Sunday and are planning on another next Sunday. It seemed good to meet some LDS fellows and someone I knew.

I'm sending you some more pictures of Honolulu. I couldn't find them before when I gave you the others. They were misplaced in my locker. Gene, I wrote you some time ago about me taking a correspondence course. I suppose you thought I had forgotten all about it. Well it is only because it took the university that long to get me the information, mostly due to the poor mail service. Well, now I have my applications all filled out and I'm going to take a course in radio broadcasting.

Of course it will only be theory, but then that will be valuable. I talked to an officer here who used to work in a radio station and he encouraged me. He said he thought it would be a good field after the war. Of course the real thing will depend on whether my voice is adapted to that kind of work, but if not, possibly it can work in to something else.

Surely do wish the war was over so I could make some definite plans and could have an opportunity to work or try out some of my present plans. Right now they can only be general and flexible enough to meet the existing conditions. Anyway, I know I have a wife who will stand by me through thick and thin.

I'm standing up writing this. If it is is difficult for you to read, I hope you will credit (or discredit) it to that. Well, Sweetheart, your husband loves you very, very much. Only want to be with you. Yours forever, Perry.