1:00 AM Sunday Morning, January 17, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well here I am again? How are you? I hope O.K. I didn’t go bowling, don’t ask me why. Don and Tommy stopped by “The Triangle Tap”, but I had them bring me home and they went back.
There isn’t any news so please understand that this is a short letter. Jeepers, I wish you were home tonight, or I was out there. I’m listening to the radio, broadcasting from Hotel St. Francis, San Francisco, you know where that is? I suppose you do.
I got my other check tonight so now I can pay all my bills, isn’t that swell? YEA – the clock just struck 1:15, it’s 11:15 PM there. I wonder what you’re going to do after work. I suppose you are getting ready to quit.
While Sweets, I’m just writing nothing so guess I better close. Good Night Honey Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darling Janie
PS I love you so much and miss you terribly, Love Janie
(Fun Fact: The Triangle Tap was located at 2506 Euclid Avenue, Harding Hills Neighborhood, in a little triangle area sided by Martin Luther King Blvd, Post Street and Euclid Avenue. At an unknown date (possible when Euclid Avenue was expanded to 4 lanes), the actual building was picked up and moved to 2506 Post Street and is an open and thriving little dive bar. Since 1938, Triangle Tap has stood the test of time as a neighborhood staple. Collecting a sizable local following, Triangle Tap serves up noteworthy specials nearly every night of the week — making it hard to turn down a night in the little blue house. ~ Quoted from The Triangle Tap Facebook page.)
Sunday after 1:00 PM
Hi Sweets:
I just arrived home from the hospital to see Kathy and Honey, they have the cutest little boy. He looks like Kathy thou- he has dimples in his cheeks and one in his little chin and fat, Gosh he’s cute.
We were there for two hours. Well Honey, I guess that’s about all. Your Special hasn’t come yet. It’s 10 below here right now, I almost froze my fingers just driving to the hospital. Jeepers, I sure wish I was out there with that nice California weather. Goodbye for now.
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darling Janie
I miss you more than words can ever say. I only hope you don’t miss me as much I love you Harlan.
Sunday 1:30 AM January 17, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
You will have to forgive me tonight with a few lines I’m going to write because I’m sicker than a dog. Don’t be alarmed because it is only a mixture of cold and a little galvanized. I have been vomiting all day and my stomach seems quite upset…
Well Darling, here it is another week closer to Christmas August and you. I will sure be glad when August gets here. I’m sorry but I guess I had better go to bed. I love you very much
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s Goodnight Darlin, Harlan
I will sure be glad when August appears. I’m sorry but I guess I had better get to bed. I love you very much.
Love and xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
10 AM Sunday
Good morning Darling:
It is a beautiful morning here today they air is a little chilly, but the sun is nice and warm. I still have my cold, but I feel a lot better. I took another hot bath this morning I think I will go ahead and play my golf game. I will have to go alone as I don’t know anyone to play with.
Your Special just came, my landlady brought it down to me. Excuse me while I read it.
Yes it was a dark day when we took those pictures. No I didn’t see “White Cargo”. I forgot to tell you; I think I made out again last night. If I did, I made about four out of five days last week. (the radio is playing “Always” ~ 1943, Sunday Monday or Always, Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl Orchestra ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6AaAFHUeD8).
What is this about a paper? What kind do you want? There are several different papers here so if you let me know what you want it for, I will get the right one. O.K? O.K! Yes, the breakfast is good here at this place. I don’t think the names go together and I do think Timmy is a lot cuter. So Donna finally hooked some poor fellow. I don’t know whether Frank wrote that letter or not. Personally, I don’t think so because I had a letter from him when he was in Cheyenne. He told me he wouldn’t even look at Donna again as he was going with another girl out there. He said she was everything Donna wasn’t.
Well Darling, there isn’t any news, so I guess I had better close for now. The post office is open on Sundays so I will just continue this when I get back from playing golf. I love you very much, and wish you were here to play with.
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Goodbye for now.
Darling I’m back. That is one of the most beautiful courses I’ve ever seen. Some of the holes run right along the channel. I saw a lot of big ships come in and go out. The course was just packed. You sign up as a single, and then they put you with someone else and make it a foursome. I played with two girls and another fellow. I shot a better score than the two girls but the fellow shot 5 strokes under me. I shot a 99. That isn’t bad for the first time. I’m going out Thursday morning to play with this fellow.
The radio is playing” I’m getting tired so I can sleep.” (Excuse me Darling, my landlady says someone is here to see me). I think you know this fellow; Syd says to tell you hello.
Well Darling, I guess I had better close now. Syd wants to go downtown to have dinner and see a show.
I love you very much and wish with all my heart you were going with me instead of Syd.
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan (The radio just started playing “When You’re a Long Long Way From Home.” ~ m. George W. Meyer, w. Sam M. Lewis, First published and recorded in 1914, this song has evidently had an intermittent recording history. ~ Bing Crosby Paradise Isle Trio~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U06li-0BpU8).
Monday Morning, 1:00 AM, January 18, 1943
Hi Honey:
Jeepers, I wish you were here. We are having a blizzard, and I mean a blizzard. It is 15 below out at the plant but only 10 below here and the wind is blowing about 40 miles an hour with snow coming down so hard one can hardly see. I’m sure glad we are coming home from work instead of going to work because they will probably have to work right through until 4:00 PM tomorrow, as it will be impossible for the day shift to get out to work. Jeepers Honey, you can’t imagine what it’s like, it’s worse than last year’s remember? Remember that night you walked out from town and we were waiting up at the curb line for you and you had to walk back up and get us, well it’s worse than that night. Jeepers, I just love it. I could stay up all night and watch it, it’s so pretty and the snow’s all sparkly and pretty.
I received your Special just as I was leaving for work and couldn’t read it until I got to work because of the kids in the car. It sure was a swell letter, just like the ones I used to get before you came home. I sure wish you were here tonight; we could go out in the car and ride around in the snow, then come home and lay in front of the radio and smooch and talk, with the radio on and everything would be perfect. You, me, the radio, a nice warm living room, snow in outdoors, and a Coke, could anything be more perfect? No.
I’m very anxious to meet all of the boys at work at the yard. I feel that I know some of them already because of hearing so much of them.
Honey, please, please don’t ask me that question about being married in August because I don’t know, I really don’t, it’s so far off it, and things, there so many, things are so different.
Well Sweets, I guess I better go to bed now as I am still cold from the drive home and want to get to bed to warm up. I wish you were here to see this.
I love you so much and miss you terribly.
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
1:30 AM January 19, 1943
Hi Honey:
Jeepers, I just got home from work, what a night! Still snowing and blowing up plenty. I sure wish you were here. It’s 20 below out of the plant and 10 below here. We thought we were going to have to work right straight through until 8:00 tomorrow morning, but they decided the other shift could make it out. There wasn’t any heat in our wing again tonight, we all had our coats, sweaters etc. on. We could see our breaths, but we had to work, so we made the best of it and had fun too, but I bet I don’t get warm again for a week. You know me when I get cold? Remember? You should. Jeepers Honey, you should be here, you would love this.
Well I guess that’s all the news, I hope it didn’t bore you. I’m practically sitting on the radiator, Momie is sitting here and says hello for her and Daddy. Jeepers, your letters sure have been swell lately, so nice and long, it’s just like you.
I’m glad to hear you are going golfing and hope you play good.
About that paper Honey, I don’t know the name of it, but it was a Los Angeles paper. By the way don’t forget to send me a San Francisco Sunday paper, I want one very bad.
That’s sure swell about your bonuses, sure swell. I have dropped the idea of flying home from Frisco completely. I intend to make the trip by train both ways. There’s no sense in spending all that money just to fly back.
Life without you is like a substitute and it isn’t complete. What I’m doing now is merely preparing for my future with you, getting ready to really love you.
And Sweets, I think I better close now so I can go to bed, so tomorrow will come and another day will be closer to you and August.
I love you and miss you terribly. Good night Honey
Love and xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
I love you so much and wish we were together tonight but I’m with you in mind and heart if not in body. Janie
Harlan, I’m your fiancé, you’re my fiancé, Goodnight Fiancé
1:45 AM Tuesday, January 19, 1943
Hello Darling:
Well here it is another day closer to the sweetest, most wonderful, beautiful, the swellest, the loveliest girl in the world and August. I hope this finds you better than I am. My cold is still with me. Tomorrow I’m going down to the Y and have a good workout, that used to always help. I have four letters today to answer. Just to show how good our mail delivery is here, I got letters today that were written the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th. Now I know what you meant about the Sunday paper. I’m sorry not to have sent it. I didn’t quite understand. It is too late to get a complete paper so I will send with next Sunday. Is that O.K?
Before I forget my telephone number is West 0853.
I will try to get your fortune soon if I can. Darling – I don’t think it is fair for you to hold out on the day you want to get married, do you? Please can you tell me now? I don’t think your cold hands and feet will freeze me out. I’m warmer than average so I will make up your lack in part. I will act a lot more like Don when we have our twins, only more so. About that letter, I started to write it one night and mailed it two days later, that’s all.
Yes, I remember those red pajamas. You had better erase the mustache off the picture. You can guess the reason why. Darling, that lump in your throught should be spelled throat.
I guess that is all there is to answer. So now all I can tell you about is how much I love, adore, and worship you. But darn you, I think a man has a right to know when he’s going to get married. I sure wish you would come out now. We sure could have a lot of fun. Well I guess I’d better get some shut eye.
What? Oh! How much I love, adore, and worship you. How about in my letter after work tomorrow I will start off with that. O.K? Please! O.K? O.K! I love you very much.
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s
Harlan
PS Tell your folks hello
1 PM Tuesday, January 19, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well here I am again with just a note, though I didn’t get a letter this morning, but I’ll get one this afternoon. I just got back from taking Daddy to the train and stopped at the store and bought a film. Momie is going to take some pictures of me and the snow. Today the sun is shining, it is very bright out, in fact it’s beautiful but it’s still zero here.
Jeepers, I hope nothing is wrong. Harlan if anything should happen to you, do they (the big shots) know who to notify? I was thinking if you should get seriously hurt we would never know anything about it, maybe it is silly but maybe you could tell your landlady my name, address, and phone number and then if anything should happen she could let me know. And I always will have $50 to come out and console you. If anything did happen, I wouldn’t hesitate a minute to come out.
Last night I had the craziest dream. I dreamt I went over to see your folks and you were home. Yes you were home! And you didn’t even let me know. Well anyway, your folks insisted that I stay all night and I looked at you and you said you didn’t care if I did or not. I looked down at my hand and I didn’t have your ring on. Jeepers, I thought is this a mad dream or is this real and did I dream about you being home for Christmas or giving me your ring or what. I was just sick.!
Harlan, I forgot to tell you that last night a woman froze to death out at work. She went out to the car and was waiting for her driver to come out and she fell asleep. Well you know how you get all warm when you freeze and well the guards saw her sitting in the car and wondered what she was doing out there, so they went to say something to her and when they opened the car door she just sat there froze. They rushed her to the hospital, but it was too late, and then later, two girls froze their legs while walking in from the outer gate. Now do you believe me and when I say it was really cold.
While Sweets, I guess this will have to do. I better get ready for work, it’s almost 1:30 and that only leaves me a little a little only an hour. I love you so much.
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s
“Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS Like I said this is only a note so I will write again tonight, bye Sweets – for now Janie
1:30 AM January 20, 1943
Hello Darling: (the radio is playing: When You’re a Long Long Way From Home)
Well here it is another day closer to August the most wonderful girl in the world. Darling, I hope when we are married we have some night like this one right here, right now. It is raining out; it is the kind of night that makes it nice to cuddle up to someone warm and nice.
I received a letter just before I left for work. I had time to read it but not enough to answer it. It is a very nice letter. (guess what they’re playing on the radio now “White Christmas”)
I’m getting a little short of paper, so I had better write on both sites. What do you mean “I didn’t go bowling, don’t ask me why”. Yes, I know where the St. Francis Hotel is. It is quite a place. There are several hotels that have swimming pools inside them, and I think that is one of them.
You want to know what I do on my average night after work, – I usually stop welding about 11:15, disconnect my stinger and tie it up. I pick up my burn derives and put them in my pocket. Then I tie my respirator onto my pocket and then hook my stinger on my bucket and then throw them over my shoulder. I pick up my hood and gloves and then go up on deck and smoke a cigarette or my pipe and wait for the whistle blow. When the 11:30 whistle blows, I walk from my destroyer in front of the other 4 destroyers over to. (That is getting things mixed up) I walk from my destroyer to my locker. In doing so, I walk in front of the other 4 destroyers to get there. (That’s better, isn’t it?) I then change clothes and head for the timecards rack. I usually meet Leo, Jack (an inspector) and Larry (my boss) outside the gate. We all walk up to the drugstore for a Coke. Just kidding, sometimes I have a Coke or a highball, whatever I feel like having. Then we all go out and catch the streetcar and head for home. I get home about 1:00 AM. I take a shower and then write to my favorite babe girl. By then I’m tired, so I can sleep, so I can dream, so I can be with you Darling.
There is a sub in for repairs at our yard. It is accredited with 13 Jap Ships. It is an old sub and pretty large. The sub is getting a complete overhauling. Leo and I went over to see it at our lunch hour last night. It sure is interesting.
Well Darling, it is getting late and I had better get some sleep, I will write again tomorrow night. I love you more than I will ever be able to tell you. I wish with all my heart.
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
(Fun Fact: Pier 70, Hunters Point and Mare Island were all ship and submarine docks in San Francisco during WWII. There were so many ships being built and ships and submarines in for repairs or overhauls that it is hard to determine which submarine Harlan and Leo saw and visited)
1:00 pm Wednesday Morning, January 20, 1943
Hi Honey:
I just arrived home from the dentist with my inlays. Am I ever a knockout, you bet!
How are you? I hope you’re feeling better than when you wrote the letter I just read. Gosh Honey, that’s a swell score in golf, especially for the first game.
Gosh darn you Darling, you make me so mad. I ask you questions, and you don’t answer them. I sometimes wonder if you’re only half reading my letters. About the paper, any old one will do. All I want is a San Francisco Sunday paper. I don’t want it for any special reason, I just wanted to see the pictures and read the want ads column and etc. Now please send me one next week as I asked.
I also asked you if you still thought of me especially at 8:00. Now if you think it is silly to say so, because strange as it may seem, I always send you a message at 10:00 our time because it seems like we’re closer at that time, but I hate to think that you may not even be thinking of me. Another thing I asked you is what is Syd was doing at Treasure Island, if he was taking some special training or what. Now I’m not going to ask you again, so will you please answer me these questions?
I tried to call your Mom just a minute ago, but she wasn’t home. Oh yes, also send your phone number! I think it was about a week ago that I asked for that and haven’t gotten it yet. After all Honey, I don’t like to have my questions completely ignored.
Last night Russ, the primer boy, came in about 9:45 and said the moon was very big and bright and the stars are sparkling. Well, I just had to see it and as we were shut down because of no cases, I put my coat and Russ took me out doors. I walked way around to the other side of the wing and saw the moon. Jeepers, it was beautiful, real big and round and then I just had to see the Big Dipper, so I walked clear around to the other side and there it was, just as big and beautiful as love. Now of course the time and you had nothing to do with me having to see the moon or the Big Dipper – Oh no! See what I mean? Then I came in and thought, Jeepers, maybe he wasn’t even thinking about me I It wasn’t a very pleasant thought.
Well Sweets, I have all my bills paid now and I’m going down Saturday to buy my fur coat. I have the weekend off and will be thinking of you and Dick. Rosie’s coming over Sunday, so we will be together too. I will be wishing that we were out there too. The radio is on and its playing (Can’t Get Out of This Mood ~ “Can’t Get Out Of This Mood” is a 1942 song by Frank Loesser & Jimmy McHugh. It was featured in the RKO Radio Pictures film “7 Day’s Leave” (1942). ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkCC-rRC6pA), how true.
Well Harlan, I guess that about covers it and I want to get this in the afternoon pickup – I will write again tonight. I love you so much.
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s
Goodbye for now, “Your” Darlin Janie
1:30 AM January 21, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
I will tell you now that this is going to be kind of short. I ran 120 1/2 feet of welding tonight so I’m just about dead. I should’ve made about $6 or $7 extra. The weather is terrible, wind and rain. The wind blew a big tree over here in back of the house.
That blizzard and an evening by the radio sure sounds swell. A lot of times I wish this war never started. If that blizzard is worse than the one last year it must be bad. I hope you don’t get snowed in though. I think the fellows at the yard feel that they know you very well.
Darling, you asked me not to ask you about being married in August. And I think it’s only fair and right for you to tell me when you want to be married. (the radio is playing “Dearly Beloved”) I haven’t heard from Dick as yet so I don’t know if I will see him this week or not. I imagine he will call me Saturday morning.
I found a book of matches that I’ve had quite a while. I thought you might like to have them. When you strike the match, use the alley on the cover. I had a hard time seeing it the first time I used any. Down at the bottom you will notice the words “you’ll get a strike every time on this lane.”
As much as I love you, I guess I had better close. I wish I didn’t miss you as much as I do but I guess there isn’t anything I can do about it.
All the love I possess, I give to you.
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
12 PM Thursday afternoon, January 21, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well first of all please forgive me for not writing last night when I got off from work but Harlan I was too tired, my feet were all swollen up and my legs and my head was buzzing as I was sneezing all night at work and every time I would, I would inhale a little of that fine powder, but I just got up about 15 min. ago and I’m feeling pretty good.
Momie woke me up with your letter it was a nice one.
I’m sorry but I don’t have a bit of news. I called your Mom just a minute ago and I thought Momie and I would drive out and get my bracelet I left there when you were home, but she wasn’t home so that is out.
Harlan breakfast is ready so you will excuse me? Yes? O.K? O.K!
Thanks, I feel better now. Look Harlan, I think I will close as I don’t have a single bit of news. I love you very much.
Love and xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin Janie
PS I will make my letter tonight longer. Love Janie
1:00 AM Friday Morning, January 22, 1943
Hi, Hello Honey:
Well here I am again – glad? I hope so, how are you? I hope you’re fine and dandy. I’m pretty good as far as health is concerned but awful gosh darned tired. They are having a big party Saturday night at the plant. Dorothy, one of the girls in our car and who is an inspector, is quitting. It’s going to be at the “Rolling Pin” after work. Several of the fellows (excuse me but the radio was on and they are playing ”It’s Been So Ever Long Since I Saw You”, Jeepers, they hurt don’t they? ~ Kitty Kallen It’s Been A Long Long Time ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP0tHmoc1rs)
to get back, several of the fellows have asked me to go and the girls too, but I’m not going because I know what those parties are like. Besides it’s my week and off and I’m going to show that night with the girls.
Well Sweets, tomorrow is payday and $10 in the bank. Saturday I’m going down and buy my fur coat. O.K? O.K!
I’m still wearing your ring Harlan, no one has said a word to me about taking it off, am I’m so glad I didn’t take it off.
Look Harlan, I think I will cut this short as tomorrow when I get up I will write your special. O.K? O.K! Thanks. I love you so much and miss you more every day. I saw the Big Dipper tonight again. Jeepers, I like that Big Dipper, and the moon was very bright, it is completely warmer tonight. Well I must go Harlan. I love you.
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s
“Your” Darlin Janie
PS Thanks for your phone number
Love Janie
January 22, 1943 Friday 1:30 AM
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to August and you. Oh happy August! This is going to be a short note, so you won’t be a day without one. I have to be at the dentist’s on at 10:15 in the morning, so I will have to get quite a bit of sleep.
I sure miss you and love you a lot. Every day it gets worse. I feel like I’ve lost my right arm not being near you, so I could hold you in my arms and kiss you. The clouds are out again tonight as usual, so I didn’t see the Big Dipper again. I thought about you an awfully lot tonight. I couldn’t seem to be able to get you off my mind, not that I wanted to, but you were just there.
I have a letter of yours here, so I had better answer all the questions. It is the one telling me what you do after work. I’m glad you got some of my letters. I was beginning to get a little worried. No Darlin’, I don’t have a highball every night. I’ve had about three highballs and maybe one beer. Outside of that the rest of them are cokes. I hope you’re not worried about me. You really sounded like you have a busy night.
I was going to tell you about that mix master. I saw a much better one, so I got my money back. My landlady has a peach of a one, but I don’t know if I can get one or not. The one I thought I would buy in the first place isn’t as good as I thought it was. The one my landlady has is a white one with a black base. It has a dial on the back deck that tells the different speeds for certain things, it has three big bowls and different squeezer on top, she is going to see if she can get one for me. If not, would you mind looking around there in Des Moines for one?
No Darling, I haven’t forgotten about your Mom. I want to send her a nice letter and something nice and would you please suggest something? I’m not very good at that sort of thing you know. Well Darling, I guess I’d better close now and get some sleep.
All the love I have I give to you.
Love and xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Good night Sweetheart
12:00 PM January 22, 1942
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is another day closer to August and you. I suppose you are wondering at the time this letter was written, I worked like hell last night in a double bottom and I made out again. The streetcars weren’t running very often last night because of the power so I had to walk about 10 blocks. Just as I started walking, it started to rain and hail. When I got home I was just soaked and about frozen. It was about 1:45 before I got home. I took a hot shower and practically fell into bed asleep. When I woke up it was about 11 AM. My back is pretty sore because I couldn’t sit up straight all night in the double bottom, so I think that is the reason. Doesn’t that sound funny, I’m the one that has backache. My cold is all gone now.
I received a swell letter this morning. That 20 below sure sounds cold. It sounds funny to hear you talk about working with all your coats on because of the cold. I have to wear all kinds of clothes to keep from getting burned.
I was going to surprise you, but I don’t think I will now, so I will tell you something. I bought a set of golf clubs. I don’t have them yet, but I will in about eight weeks. I got five irons and three woods and a leather bag. They are pretty nice. When you come out in August, are you going to bring your clubs? I will send you the paper this week, I will send two of them. It will be the best two I can find.
I have my bonus slips, but I want to check them with my paycheck. I will send them tonight after I get my check. They come to $13.98 altogether.
You are right about life just being a substitute now. Life without you is just about nothing.
When you buy a ticket to come out here, don’t buy a round-trip. Just buy a one-way and if you decide to go back, we can buy one here. It won’t cost you any more if you buy them separate.
This is the last page so guess I had better close. I love you very much Darling. August is what I’m living for.
Good bye for now Fiancé
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Friday 12:30 PM January 22, 1943
Hello Honey: Did you ever hear the piece ”This Time Dream’s on Me”? (This song composed by Harold Arlen with the lyrics by Johnny Mercer. It was written for the 1941 film Blues in the Night, sung by Priscilla Lane. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66YaOSCjNtY), Listen to it sometime.
Well here I am and on Sunday morning, I hope. This is Friday and it’s a beautiful day, there is still plenty of snow on the ground, but the sun is shining very bright. Jeepers Harlan, four weeks ago we were together, it was New Year’s Day. Oh Happy New Year’s Day 1943! I miss you terribly, so much, that sometimes at work I think as soon as I get $100 I am going out, I can’t stand this being without Harlan. But then I get home and it’s another day closer to you and I think, well if he can wait, I guess I can too.
No Harlan, I guess it isn’t fair not to tell you when I would like to be married. I’ve been thinking about it all the time since you left and have made several plans but have decided this is the best one. I work really hard and save every penny I can, then come out in August for 10 days and while I’m there we can buy the rings and make all the plans, have some fun, then I come back, work until December 1, saving as much more as I can. I’d quit December 1 or on the 15th at the latest, then work around the house for about two weeks getting my clothes ready and learning to live and work around the house. Then come out about the first week in January and then be married out there on the 12th January. I don’t know but I think that is the best deal and from your letter it is very nice in Frisco in January and the 12th is my lucky day.
Now Harlan, I’m not sitting that date for sure because we don’t know what is going to happen between now and then, with your deferment and all, and besides maybe you won’t like these plans at all. I want you to write back your opinion as soon as you get this Special or at least answer it by Monday, if you want to think it over.
In the meantime, I’m going to buy my fur coat, enough clothes for August and stack up my hope chest. Well Honey, what you think???
I tried to call your Mom again today, but as usual she wasn’t home.
There isn’t any news. I didn’t get a letter today, so that there are no questions to answer, please don’t forget to send the Frisco paper.
Momie is here and sends her love and to say hello and she misses you too. Gosh, we all miss you now. Ain’t that something? It seems like you’re a pretty popular guy around here.
Oh yes-I’m sending your jacket today; your jacket, a pair of slacks and that towel, so please let me know when you get them as I will have them insured.
Well that was the last paper of another tablet so here we go on a new one.
Love me? I’m crazy about you!
Harlan, why do you said I better take the mustache I drew on your picture off? You didn’t shave it off, did you? Oh no! Darn you if you did. Please let it grow back. I like it so well.
Well Sweets I guess that covers it. Don’t forget to answer my plans as I’m anxious to hear your opinion or ideas. So goodbye for now Harlan. I love you so much.
All My Love and xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin Janie
I’m going to get up Sunday and go to church. Boy, I’m changing? You bet! Then I’m going on and see Katherine as she is home, then I’m coming home and I’m not budging until Monday when it’s time to go to work.
Gabby just called and Donna is being married in a week from tomorrow and will be home a week from Sunday. Mrs. Didier is having a party for her, but I can’t go as I have to work. Well, must go now it’s 1:15 and I must get ready for work.
Bye-bye Love Janie
PS Keep my plans under your hat. I would rather no one hear about it until we are absolutely sure, please? O.K? O.K!
1:10 AM Saturday Morning, January 23, 1943
Hi Honey:
How are you? Fine I hope. Riding home from work I got to thinking – I sent you’re special at about 1:00 today and I’ll bet you get it when you get home from work Saturday night and I thought that won’t be like getting one on Sunday, so I’ll write this and send Special too, aren’t I sweet? You bet!
Well I’m through until Monday, working I mean. Jeepers, I wish you were here so’s I could spend two days with you. Rosie said you and Dick were getting together Sunday, I hope you have a nice time, and it’s a nice day and everything goes along O.K.
I can’t wait Harlan. I miss you so much and I hate saying but I’m—- oh forget it. I must remember how lucky I am to have such a swell fellow. Harlan, I think you are just about as close to perfect as anything can be. I love you very, very much. I want you to know that sometimes I wish very much that I had chucked my folks and all my ideas and gone back with you like my heart told me to. I wish I could write and say pretty things, but I guess I’m not type. All I can say is “I love you”, 3 little word but I mean it and believe it. And – oh gosh, see what I mean. I can’t seem to write what I want to say, but you understand, don’t you Harlan?
Well I’m tired and guess I better go to bed. I wish you were here to go upstairs together, you in your room and I in mine.
Good night Harlan
All my love and xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin Janie
I miss you and your arms terribly.
1:30 AM Saturday, January 23, 1940
Hello Darling:
First of all I had better apologize for the paper. I ran out of writing paper when I wrote my last letter. When you get this Special for a very special person, it will be another day closer to August and a certain special person, I sure love you a lot. I have another surprise for you. I started a checking account with my first paycheck when I got. I now have $211.44 in it. The first surprise, you probably get Monday, I will tell you now, so you don’t have to wait, I bought a set of golf clubs. Then I’m going to buy a pair of bowling shoes. From then on every penny I can spare goes into the bank. I hope you don’t mind me buying these things with our money. Do you?
I am also sending in this letter my make out slips for last week. Please don’t lose them. I have two coming this week so far. The weather is still raining. It rains hard for a while and then it blows, then it does both. There isn’t any news, so I don’t know what to write about. I sure hope we have some nice weather Sunday. I’m kind of looking for Dick to call the morning. I think now that I have this money I’ll pay all my debts and then start from there. I owe $41 on my clubs. I get the clubs when I finish paying for them, I owed the dentist a bill and $ 25 on loan. Then My Little Darling, I will have a clean slate to start.
I will be glad when we get married so I won’t have to worry about where to spend it, all I will have to worry about is where I’m going to get it.
I have told you many times, but I want to tell you again. I love you with all my heart and soul, the one thing I’m living for is you. The trust that you give me is one of the many things I love you for. I won’t and wouldn’t forsake that trust if my life depended on it. You probably have the same thing to content with at the plant that I have at the yard, a lot of people talking, a little too much. Before I came home Christmas, they had me scared to death but now that I have been home, I seem so much closer to you, I don’t feel that way anymore. There is nothing that can happened to me because I won’t let it, so – again, I say: All the love I have or ever will have I give to you
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Saturday 2:45 PM January 23, 1943 Hello
Well this is just to be a note so you will get a letter Tuesday. I didn’t get a letter today which makes it the third day this week without one. Is anything wrong? How are you?
I tried to call your Mom again today, but no luck, she wasn’t home. Where does she go all of the time? It’s the fifth day I’ve tried.
I didn’t go downtown today, so haven’t got my fur coat. Don’t know how or whether I will get one now or not, it’s an awful lot of money. I wish I had a letter that I could answer it. Please, I hope my Special comes tomorrow.
I don’t feel very good today, I seem to have gotten some more powder in my nose last night and it has given me a terrific headache. Momie is kind of low today because we haven’t heard from Dick this week. I think it’s probably the mail though.
Well I guess that’s all I know to write about, so will close as I have to go to the store for Momie.
Love and xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS Will write tomorrow a long one.
Johnny & Jane 