Sibs,
This the last entry about Mom and Dad's courtship in the little black book. Of course this entry is a little longer than the others and just in time for Mother's Day. THE FORMAL ENGAGEMENT On Easter we became engaged and I was very happy. We decided not to tell anyone for a while, until Marge received her ring. Only we would tell our parents. Mother and Daddy were not surprised for they knew well my intentions as loving parent do. And they were happy with me when they knew that Marge and I were to become married. With the passing of a few days the opportunity presented itself for me to ask for the blessing of Marjorie's parents upon our engagement. I was a little bit nervous. They were not surprised. To have their approval made everything quite perfect. Mr. Curtis said to me that I was getting an usual and wonderful girl who was well prepared for homemaking. We both knew that angels were not common upon the earth, dressed in robes of intelligent preparation, crowned with virtue, mild in manner, and powerful in goodness. Angels are scarce. Marge is truly an angel. I thank my Heavenly Father that he led me to her. Marge's birthday was coming up on the 27th of April, 1951. I decided this would be the day to give her the ring. But she was to be surprised. We made plans to celebrate her birthday at the Beta Chapter Spring Dinner Party planned for the 27th at the Institute. The most beautiful white orchid that I could order was sent to her while she was preparing for our date together. When I arrived she was aglo in spirit and I knew that I had made her very happy. And so I was over joyed. She saw me bring in a birthday package which I told her she was not to open until we returned. It was from Mother and Dad for her. But she was to think that it was from me so that she wouldn't guess that I was going to give her the ring that night--I wanted it to be a perfect surprise. We left for the party, but drove to the parking before the Capitol Building. There in the grandeur of this edifice and the inspiring view of the sparkling valley before us as stars in the dark, I placed the ring upon the hand of my angel. We were very happy together. I had spend many hours in planning and contemplating the nature of the ring which she was to wear. The stone must stand out from all else, even as she did, not held down by the unbeautiful, for she would ever be advancing. And so it did. We arrived at the party and watched the movies that were shown, for about an hour. Then we left the lounge and entered the banquet hall. It was elegantly set and decorated. While standing in line, the dinner was served buffet style, someone noticed her ring. Soon everyone knew and shared our happiness with us. When all were served and seated we began to eat. Then to my joy and surprise everyone sang together, "Happy Birthday Dear Marge" and congradulated us on our engagement. The whole evening was delightfully spent with my darling, dancing and planning together, and enjoying the company and friendship of ones true pals. I believe that we both felt it had been a wonderful time, and a wonderful place to tell others of our happiness. We left soon after midnight., from this most wonderful party, and soon were to her home. Our prayers together this night were as I always hope they may be: said arm in arm, filled with hope, thanks-giving and eternal love. ---- That's a wrap. There is a lot more in this book, which I will share with you over time. But this is the pertinent entries relative to Mom and Dad's courtship. Enjoy the memories. Happy Mother's Day Mom!
0 Comments
Sibs, Of course you are all excited for the next episode of Dad's little black journal. The next entry is a message a page-and-a-half in length from the little black book. Therein Dad describes his proposal of marriage to Mother. His sentiments are real and from the heart, but I think you will agree when I say we benefited from this decision as much as he did. Like all of you, I miss Mom and Dad terribly. I often reach for my phone intending to share a joy with them or prepare to include their names in an email when I need to ask for advice. It is hard not to do that. I never knew I would need Mom and Dad so much as a new parent and grandfather. I am so grateful for the sage advice contained in their personal histories. I look forward to sharing with them again soon. Today we can enjoy one more important event in Mom and Dad's lives. PROPOSING Easter Sunday, March 25, 1951, was the day on which I planned to propose. And I did. In the morning I took a taxi to her home where I met her in a lovely new jumper that she made herself for Easter. Her corsage had arrived in time for it to be worn to church. She looked lovely and the two red camillas went well with her Jumper. Marge, Jerry, her sister, and I went to Sunday School together and enjoyed the Easter Program. We sat with Marge's class of girls while Marge took her place on the stand. She gave the second of four talks, which, with the musical numbers made up the Easter Program. Her talk was good and I was proud of her. We took pictures after Sunday School and then Oliver, Bev, Harold, and Ellen picked us up and took us with them to the Easter Choral Services at the Tabernacle which began at 2:00. We enjoyed it. Oliver let Marge and I off at my house where we talked to the folks for a few minutes and then took our car to the New House Hotel for a smorgasbord dinner in the Royal Room. It was very nice and I was happy to be able to take Marge there. The food was good, we talked and ate until we were full, and left at about 7:30. We drove through town from the New House Hotel, up 21st So. along the Alternate Highway from the mouth of Parley's to the mouth of Emigration Canyon, up past Brigham Young's Monument, through Emigration Canyon, down parley's Canyon, and back again to the Brigham Young Monument (That is, the "This Is The Place Monument" with him at the top, in the mouth of the Canyon). Here, overlooking the monument and the city we stopped and talked and she said she would be my wife. We reached her home by a little before eleven o'clock, read from Matthew and from the book on Marriage which she has, knelt together in prayer, and left just after midnight. It had been a wonderful day and I was very happy. I was to have an angel for a wife. I was truly happy. ---- There you go. You'll have to wait a little bit for the next three pages FORMAL ENGAGEMENT, which I will share shortly. Enjoy these great memories. I Need Thee Every Hour “Maintain an enriching relationship with each other"
|
purposeThese are sentiments written by Dad in a little black book he kept. ArchivesCategories |