Monday 9:10 PM August 9, 1943
Hello Honey:
Well, here I am again and rather low I guess, don’t know why, guess it’s because I’m so tired. Your special came at 10:00 a.m. yesterday, just before we left for church. Yes, we went to church, Momie and I. Then I took her down to Brownies to eat then to see Beatrice Kay in person at The Des Moines’s, then we came home, changed clothes, and went after Rosie and the little Dickie Jr. and drove out to the airport to watch the big air liners come in, then bought some ice cream and came home. I won the check pool Friday, $5.00, so I took Momie out.
Nothing else is happened, went to work today as usual and tonight I drove over to see Yodie. She is leaving for New York tomorrow, she joined the WAVE’s.
Fun Fact: W.A.V.E.S stood for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service during WWII and was the women’s branch of the United States Naval Women Reserves.
There was another letter this morning, no questions, only how much you love and miss me. That’s what I like to hear.
The moon is like this tonight, very pretty and the Big Dipper too. There isn’t any news at all. Oh yes, received your bond and five dollars. Thanks a lot Honey it will help very much. You’re right $725 in bonds. How come you had to pay that $60 on your income tax when no one else did? I don’t get it.
Harlan, I’m pooed. So help me, I’ll try and do better tomorrow night. I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin & FW Janie
Be patient Honey, Please!
1:30 a.m. August 10, 1943
Hello Darling:
Well, here it is another week started. Guess what I’m doing? I’m drinking a bottle of Pepsi and eating cheese and crackers while I’m writing to you. It sure brings back some more sweet memories.
I did a terrible thing today. The mail came just as I was leaving for work today. There was a letter from you. I heard my streetcar coming, so I stuck a letter in my shirt pocket so I could read it on the way. I knew the streetcar motor man, so I started talking to him. When I got off the car downtown, I noticed the letter was gone. It wasn’t open so I don’t think anyone can read it. I sure hope I get it back. You must have mailed it either Friday or Saturday.
My room is sure a mess now. I have all my dirty clothes ready to wash in the morning. I have them all sorted out. I wish you were here to help me.
Darling, I was downtown Friday morning, Saturday morning and this morning looking for something for you. I looked all over town for it but couldn’t find it. I was going to get you a leather jacket like the one you got me for X-mas. Now I think I will wait until you get here and we will both go down and pick up one as near to mine as we can find, or if you would rather have something else out here, we will get it instead. You wouldn’t use the jacket in Des Moines now anyway. I hope you don’t mind waiting. I think it is the best. Don’t you?
Well Sweets, it is getting late so I had better get some sleep. I will finish this in the morning.
I love you very, very much, more than you’ll ever know. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: The time is 12:45 PM. I got up about 9:00 and washed clothes. While the machine was going, I fixed breakfast.
Oh, before I forget it the name of the ship is the U.S.S. Wedderburn.
The mail is here and there is a letter from you. No my beard isn’t much heavier or thicker than it was. I get a weeks’ vacation with pay and I will take another week off. Darling, it is always cool enough to have a fire at night. Summer here isn’t like it is at home in Des Moines. The days are very seldom hot and the nights are never hot. They are always cool and quite a few times cold. You can see how much fun we are going to have keeping you warm.
Well Sweets, I guess I had better get my lunch fixed and go to work.
I love you very, very much. I will see you at 8.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Harlan
12:30 A.M. August 11, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is another day closer to ? and the sweetest little bundle of charms the side of heaven.
Begin with, this is my last sheet of paper, so I will try to make it last. There isn’t any news so I don’t know what to write about. I worked pretty hard tonight although it gets harder over time to even go to work. I will be glad when you get here. I can sure use a vacation. You can probably use one as well as I can.
When you get here, I would like for the two of us to go some place for about three or four days. Some place like Russian River. We could just eat, swim, will be in the sun… What could be sweeter if we could be together? (Nothing!)
Well Darling, I have to take a shower and get some sleep. I have to go to the ration board in the morning. I love you more and more every day. Good night sweetheart.
Good afternoon Darling: The time is 2:00 P.M. and I’m afraid it is time to leave for work. I took the landlady over to a new house this morning and I just got back. I will make up for this short letter tonight.
I love you very, very much. I will see you at 8.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Harlan
Wednesday 7:00 PM August 11, 1943
Hello Honey:
Well how are you today, fine I hope and not too tired. There was a letter today, one written Saturday night and Sunday morning. I’ll bet you smell nice after your shower, you always did. Don’t be impatient Honey, it won’t be too long now until I’ll be with you and you can forget all your worries and I’ll forget all mine and will have nothing but a good time.
It’s raining here tonight and in about 15 minutes I’m going to press my slacks, take a hot bath and go to bed, I’m pooed but definitely.
About that letter, remember I was only doodling, ha ha. All kidding aside, you are pretty swell but we won’t go into that. I’ll wait until next – ooops – until I see you to let you know what I think of you. O.K? O.K!
There isn’t much news, haven’t talked to your mom since last Saturday. Got the car fixed tonight, new inspection seal and brakes fixed and all, so that’s off our minds.
Gosh, there simply isn’t anything to write about, no news whatsoever. It sure makes it though, doesn’t it? Sorry, but then maybe I can do better tomorrow night. O.K? Oh please. O.K!
Bye for now.
Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin Janie
PS. What was your golf score, you never told me.
1:35 AM August 12, 1943 (A great day) Thursday
Hello Darlin’:
Four years ago today I met the swellest and sweetest little girl in the world. When I met her, I didn’t realize that someday she would become my wife. Just exactly when I fell in love with her, I’ll never know. I think it just grew. The longer I knew her and the more I was with her, the more I realized how much a part of me she was.
The things we did together weren’t exactly like other couples. Whether I had money or not made no difference to her. Anything I wanted to do within reason, she was game for it, even if she didn’t know how or had never done it. She always seems to have the same interests as I did. That is the kind of girl she is.
When you say four years, it seems like a very long time. But when they have been spent with a girl like Jane, they just seem to fly.
You take the most beautiful songs, the most beautiful poems and the most beautiful words and you still couldn’t half describe how lovely, sweet, and charming my Jane is. Yes, I say “My Jane”, because in my mind I know that no one can ever take her place. I know that someday she will be mine, she and I will be one.
I love her more than anything on earth. Someday I will prove it to her. My love for her will never die.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s Her FH Harlan
1:35 AM August 13, 1943, Friday
Hello Darlin’:
Oh boy, it was sure swell to hear your voice on the phone. Nothing can go wrong now (I pray). After I talked to you, I came down and took a shower. Now I feel even better than I did when I talked to you. Just two weeks from Sunday.
I don’t know whether to go to Patterson or not the Sunday. I have quite a few things to do now that I know you are coming for sure. I don’t like to miss a day now either. We will sure be able to use the money.
I told you I would tell you of the “manning plan”. I don’t know if it works outside of California or not. The Yard classifies all of the men and puts them in different groups. I am in the first group, a key man. They say it will take 12 to 18 months to replace me. That is two or three deferments, I’ve only had one. When the time comes for me to go, the yard sends someone else to go in my place. That will give you a general idea of how it works. With me it won’t do any good because I’m single and with no dependents – yet!!!
Well Sweets, I guess I had better get some sleep. I will finish this in the morning. I love you more than very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: The time is 1:45 and time to leave for work. I got up a little late this morning and after I finished breakfast started to arrange my clothes. I just finished. I sure have a lot of them. There was a letter from you in the mail but I will answer it in your Special tonight.
I gotta go now. I love you more than you will ever know.
Love & xxxxxs YFH Harlan
PS. See you at 8.
Friday 8:30 P.M. August 13, 1943
Hello Honey & a Very Happy Birthday Harlan.
I’m sending all my love and a promise for date for Saturday night the 28th of this month if you will meet me at the station at 9:00 Saturday morning. O.K??? Oh Darling, I can hardly wait, but I will.
Well there was a very short but nice letter this morning. I am sure looking forward to that letter you wrote Wednesday night, which I will get tomorrow. I hope. Honey I haven’t forgotten, you remember I’m going to buy your present when I get there.
Say by the way Honey, I bought a round-trip ticket because I thought a one-way ticket it would have cost $89 – a round-trip ticket is $112.00.
Gosh Harlan, if I bought a one-way ticket and then one for me to come home it would cost you $89. You see, I saved us both money, in fact I saved around $60. Now don’t you think I’m a smart little girl when it comes the money? Just wait until we get married.
Hey, do you know what? I just happened to think about something. Next year for your birthday I’ll maybe buy you a smoking stand for beside your chair in our little house.
We received two more letters from Dick today, one written August 1st and the 2nd. He had just heard about Daddie. Gosh, he sure was all broken up and confused. It just about breaks my heart when I think that Daddie won’t be there to give me away when we get married and that he will never see T & T, but then maybe he will.
It sure is hot here, it was 102° out at work this afternoon. I can’t imagine being cold out there at night, we can hardly sleep at night for the heat, and when you told me to bring my fur coat, I sure was shocked, but I’m still going to bring some summer clothes, because that is about all I have. Should I still bring my golf clubs and britches?
Excuse me honey – the phone – – –It was Joyce, she just got back from Texas seeing her boyfriend, Johnny.
Well Honey, I hope you have a nice time Sunday at Connie’s and have a nice birthday. I’ll make up for the lack of the present when I arrive. Jeepers Harlan, for the first time in over a month, I’m kind of happy. I love you very much, Harlan, very very much.
Love as always “Your’ Darlin’ & F.W. Janie
PS. Remember, don’t get too short a haircut.
1:30 A.M. August 14, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is another day closer to August 29 and the sweetest little thing I have. There isn’t any news, so I don’t know what I’m going to write about. I worked pretty hard tonight. I run 165 feet. I think I made about $10 bonus, so I’m kind of tired. I’m still not too tired for a little smooching.
I’m laying on my bed and I have the radio in front of me. They are playing ‘Pennies From Heaven’ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IFgC7JhVrM).
I have two letters to answer. No, my back doesn’t itch when I get home from work but you could scratch it anyway. I don’t know what feels good, the scratching or your touch. I got a week off with pay and I think I can an extra week off. (How long do you plan on staying?)
Yes, I like that song “You’ll Never Know How Much I Love You” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZtWNlCTc6o) It is one of my favorites. Another of my favorites is Frank Sinatra singing “Night and Day” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U43_f1LSKxs).
Say Miss Hare, have you forgotten my birthday date? It is the 15th not the 14th. It is Sunday not Saturday, (The radio is playing “You’ll Never Know How Much I Love You”) or did you just get the days mixed up? Just kidding. Sure Darling, it will be all right to wait until you come out here to get me something. You just come on out and that is all I ask.
That is all I have to answer, now I don’t know what to write about.
I don’t think I will go up in the country this weekend. I hate to miss a day at work because we will be able to use the money. I sure could use a little time to get some things done before you come though.
Well my Sweet, I guess I had better get some sleep. I’m getting so I can keep my eyes open. I love you so very, very much. Life isn’t a life without you.
Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
I definitely am not going to Patterson. I have some things to do downtown this morning so I will go right to work from town. I also have this letter to mail. I sure will be glad when you get here. I miss you so much and love you more than you’ll ever know.
I’m sorry but I had better go. I will see you at 8 as always.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Harlan
1:30 A.M. August 15, 1943
Hello Darling:
Well here it is another year gone by for me. I don’t feel any older than I did an hour and a half ago but I sure am tired. I made out again tonight. I ran 167 feet of welding. My bonus tonight will come in my paycheck I get just before you get here.
Darling, I’m very tired. Do you mind if I finish this in the morning. Please? Okay! Good night Darling.
Good morning Darling:
It is kind of a cloudy day here in Frisco today. Syd came in and woke me up this morning. He is in the restroom right now. We’re going to go out to the beach and go swimming. The Sun will probably come out pretty soon. I want to have a little tan before you get here. I sure feel comfortable this morning. I have a clean pair of shorts, a clean pair of jeans on and a T-shirt and my brown sweater. I sure wish you were here now.
Say Darling, could you let me know what time of day you will get here. If I know what time, I can make some plans for the evening. I have something planned, but we can’t do that all night. Okay? Okay!
Well Sweets, here comes Syd back. I will make up for this short letter tonight. I think I will stay home again.
I love you and miss you very much.
I will see you at 8 as always
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Harlan
Sunday 2:30 P.M. August 15, 1943
Hello Honey:
Do you feel any older? You being 23, I mean. We have just finished dinner and while Momie is redding up the dishes, thought I would start your letter.
Your Special hasn’t come yet but the letter I received yesterday was lovely Honey. I’m afraid I shed a little tear when I read it. I remember how I felt at Christmas time when I turned around and felt my chest. Well I felt just like that when I read the letter.
Well the dishes are done now and I’m waiting for Momie to clean up. We’re going over to Rhomers, a friend of Daddie’s.
Your Special is here. Gee Honey, I’m sorry you didn’t go to Connie’s because I thought it would be something kind of special to do on your birthday. This bond makes it $750.
About how long am I going to stay, well Honey, I’m trying to get a three week leave thus leaving me out there for two full weeks. Two weeks, I wonder what we will be doing together and planning on doing for the two weeks to come.
By the way, I went down last night and purchased my ticket and bought travel insurance just for the trip, so now I have my ticket again, but I have an upper birth.
Well Hon, I’m thinking of you every minute today, wishing I could be there for your birthday but we will make up for it in two weeks. By the way, is the 28th Saturday I arrived not Sunday the 29th. Can you still get me a room?
Bye for now, see you at 10.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s
“Your” Darlin & FW Janie
I love you very much
10:00 PM August 15, 1943, Sunday
Hello Darlin’:
Syd and I left, we decided to drive to a place called Stinson’s Beach. It is across the channel. It is about 23 miles from Frisco. The sun was out and did I ever get a sunburn. By the time you get here, it will probably be all peeled off (I hope not).
Got home about 5:30 and I fixed dinner. I’ve been ironing four dress shirts and sport shirts I’ve had laying around for over a month. I haven’t had a tie on but once since I got back from Des Moines.
Your Special and birthday card came in this afternoon. (Darling, my back hurts)
I’ll be at the station the 28th at about 8:00 with bells on. I may go right from work Friday night. Just kidding. I’m glad you are getting here Saturday. It sure is a date. Yes, you are pretty good at handling money.
Yes, be sure to bring both winter and summer clothes. Please bring your clubs if you care to. If it will be too much baggage, why just leave them. There is another set here at the house you can use if we go out.
You will see about the weather. It will sure be shocking to you. It was chilly today in town.
Well Sweets, I have some more things to do in the morning so I had better close now. I love you so very very much. Good night Sweetheart. See you in a little over a week.
Good morning Darling: I will have to make this sort of short. I have to go downtown.
It is rather cloudy out and my back is really sore. I wish you were here now but I won’t have long to wait now. Just 12 days after today and we will be together again. Oh boy.
I don’t think I should go to work today because of my sunburn. But the check I get for this week will be the day before you get here. So I don’t think I will miss a day.
Well Sweets, I guess I had better close for now.
I will see you at 8 as always. It is a date for Saturday the 28th. I love you very, very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Harlan
Johnny & Jane 