Dart’s brief note follows.

Just thought I’d surprise you with a little note. I’m so lonesome I feel like going right back down to Kent. The trip back was uneventful. Stopped for a burger and a cup of coffee (?) * at Stow. Why bother with such trivia when I have room to say I love you? That’s what I’ve wanted to say since I told you good night in front of Miss Olin. What was on the package and what was written on the front of it? Couldn’t figger it our myself, could you?

Oh Dot, I miss you so much! Thirteen months seems so long to look forward to!

Good night, my Dearest. Thank you. Yours forever, Dart

*That’s what they said the vile stuff was.

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And now it’s Dot’s turn.

This may come as somewhat of a surprise Tuesday morning, but I’m too much in love and miss you too much already to go to sleep without writing to you.

First, some big news. Harriet’s letter asked us not to plan on getting married next fall on accountin’ she wants to lend a big hand in the festivities when the time comes, but if it comes then, she’ll be too busy taking care of the new addition to their family.  I surely hope everything goes alright with her this time. I think another miscarriage would almost kill her.

I’ve been talking with Phyll, who is so bleary-eyed, she doesn’t know from nuttin’. She thinks she’s got a case on Al. It seems he made a date to come down next Friday and take her to a movie in Akron. He suggested bringing you along, too. So if you want to come, and if you don’t have another date, how’s about it? S’pose between the two of you you could convince Homer that there are really lots of short girls who are loads of fun? Joyce, for instance?

Darling, I’m very tired, but I’ll lay here for hours unable to sleep. You are all I want and I want you so desperately it’s dangerous. Today was one of the most perfect days I have ever experienced with you. I have never felt the way I did when we were at the lake this afternoon. We seemed completely apart from the rest of the world, and yet so completely together. There is something about surging surf that is mysterious and haunting. I have sometimes had a weird feeling when standing alone on the shore that the water was challenging me, that it was calling to me to attempt to swim it, knowing full well that it could soon overpower me. When I first saw the lake today, that feeling arose in me again and it frightened me a little. But as soon as I felt your arms around me, the feeling vanished. I can’t describe the security I feel every time you touch me, but it’s there, bigger and more powerful than anyone or anything.

Thank you, Dart, for giving me that sense of security and for being exactly what you are. Everything you do deepens my already deep love for you. There aren’t enough ways to show my love, gratitude and admiration for you. All I ask is that I’m given the opportunity to show at least a few of the ways I’m grateful for you. I love you always and forever.