) it is possible that these were not the next to last they wrote each other but rather the next to last I have possession of. But either way, I treasure them.Oh, how I wish I had a photo of them together (no selfies in those days) but I’m happy to have these photos of them on what I believe was during their honeymoon. Does anyone recognize where this might be?
So here’s the next to last letters that they wrote to each other. And just because I couldn’t leave you hanging, I’ve also included the last letters they wrote to each other. [my comments] included.
FROM SIG TO LORAINE
February 16, 1919 - 5:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon
My Sweetheart
Just came from the house - I have been there all day. Have been straightening things up and I'm going to have a regular little bridal chamber [I’m not sure I want to think about just what a bridal chamber is used for]. I'll do the best I can my lover but remember I am almost all alone in getting everything ready. Because Madeline [Schuman – she was Sig’s older brother, Herb’s, wife] can't help on account of her suffering but then I am the kind sweet who depends on no one but myself so I'll have it nice. Yes dearest I understand about heating the house - I had the furnace going all day today. Tomorrow the oil attachment goes in and we will have it heated several times before we arrive there and it will be as clean as wax when my Russian women get thru. And you will be so happy then I know. [I wonder if Loraine was not anxious to live in that house].
I didn't write you last night because I hadn't heard from you for a couple of days, and then I knew you wouldn't get it until Monday anyway. Received your letter late last night. What do you think? I went out last night to the soldiers and sailor ball. They requested me to come so Dick & I went in uniform. It was simply packed and quite a night. The music and life was quite a change for me after all my strenuous grind of hard work.
And here is the best news - we had a wire from Ben [Sig’s younger brother] this morning stating that regimental headquarters had passed on his discharge and that he should get his final in five or six days - let us hope. Isn't that fine. And Leon is making a hard effort and wired to that effect Saturday.
Oh about the invites. Mother seems to be very satisfied as the original list stood and knowing that you are makes it that way for me. As long as you all are happy. I'll not worry I assure you as my thought was to endeavor to keep harmony with the relatives. So that's all settled.
And about the Rabbi - are you helping me on that. Sorry we couldn't get Franklin but let me know what I should do.
Sweetheart would you like me to bring my little aviator trunk. It might just be the right size for you and its cute. Probably your clothes will get soiled jamming them in a suit case. Just as you say love because we want to do everything that will help to comfort.
We will go to Santa Barbara as you or say L.A. or both - according to your desires. And where do you want to try and stay Sunday night - you didn't say.
So my list was alright, that's good. Don't know whether I missed any close ones or not as I haven't had a moment for thought since. Listen dear Mother wrote that we didn't answer Mrs. Ryta Plesh (?) for our engagement letter. We surely did but the lady is quite put out. We must amend for our overlooking it.
Now sweet I want you to take a good rest for the next few days - just go easy won't you. Can you realize that if nothing happens a week from now we will been married already and you Mrs. Sig. Is your love piling up dear? I wonder how much. Tell me all about it in tomorrow's letter. [what a tease]
I have so much to do in the next few days - gee I'll be busy. But I like to be that way. I wish you could see what nice weather we are having today.
Dear I intend leaving Thursday afternoon and going directly to Hotel Oakland that night when I arrive. Now where will you be? [no texting in those days – had to pre plan] I hope you'll be there at the same time because I'll miss you if you are not.
That was nice of the girls to give you a tea! I hope you enjoy it a lot.
And the pin was pretty. I trust it was and being that it pleases you, I'm happy. I think it's best when you can select what you want. I am anxious to see it.
But more anxious than anything else in the world - to love you. Does that make you feel good? Would you enjoy having me in your arms now? Honest. [now this is perhaps the sweetest paragraph I’ve ever read]
You know our Fresno address will be 1761 Van Ness Avenue. [I looked this address up on google maps and it appears to be an industrial area now]
How are all your folks. Give them my best love. "I'm fine".
Sweet we will have all day Friday and Saturday to get final details ready. Just a few more days. Be the sweetest little girl in the world. And I love you all that you want to be loved. Goodbye for today - a bunch of kisses.
Your boy
Sig
FROM LORAINE TO SIG
February 18, 1919 - 6 AM
Monday
Sig dearest,
Didn't write you today as was waiting for your letter which came tonight.
So my boy is very busy getting things ready for his "wife-to-be". Believe me, dear, we'll be a happy couple.
The girls gave me a delightful little tea today at the Gift Shop and I dolled up in my "going away" outfit. It looked quite swell [that was quite a popular word in the 40’s but don’t remember seeing it much in the teens] and I hope you'll like it.
Yes, sweetheart, we expect to stay at the Oakland [Hotel] as far as we know, which I told you in yesterday's letter. About the trunk - unless you want to bring it for your things, dear, I don't think I shall need it as I expect to get a nice suitcase when I get to S.F. and will hold all I need as far as I know as I don't expect to take too many things along.
Haven't heard from Rabbi Meyer yet [they were having trouble confirming a Rabbi to marry them]. Hope he won't disappoint us or we will be up against it and shall have to scurry around for someone else.
It rained off and on today but now a strong north wind is blowing so I guess the weather will be clear for Sunday.
Am so glad to hear that the boys [Sig’s brothers, Leon and Ben] will be out [from the war] shortly. With them coming, though, it means that we'll have to look for a place to live in [Sig lived with them in Fresno]. Shall write a letter tomorrow. Stacks of love & kisses, dearest boy.
Your
Loraine
FROM SIG TO LORAINE
February 17, 1919 - 10:00 pm
Monday night
My dearest girl:
It is simply pouring out has been for a big part of the day and hailed some too. So I'll write this before I go home. Received your letter this morning and I'm sorry you were not in a loving mood, but down days in your heart you surely were because I don't want that love to be "moods", I want it to be continual.
Sweet, the house won't be too much work for you. I'm caring for all of that and you'll be surprised to see what a good little care-taker I'll be [I’m sure he was – and he passed that trait on to my father]. My friend Mrs. Sachs has been lovely and she is going to watch the job and see that it is done properly. I've engaged a man also to wash all the windows and when I get the job finished the house will look like a million dollars. The oil attachment to the furnace will be all finished and everything will be so comfortable that I think you won't be too anxious to leave until the folks come home. I have one little bridal chamber [there’s that bridal chamber again] about ready. And today I purchased new bedding so it will be ours, and the prettiest silk comforter [my grandmother always liked fancy things].
I am engaging tonight rooms at the Palace for Sunday night, and our train will leave at 8 A.M. Monday for Santa Barbara via Coast route. It will be a peach of a trip - arriving down there at 7:15 P.M. and observation on board. My plans are to arrive home Friday night the 28th so that I can help at the office on the first. And listen love you already have an invitation for Saturday afternoon March 1st. Helen Chartrand is giving a nice party and invited you today. She said that she would like to make you guest of honor. I was wondering if you would like to have it that way so quickly after your arrival here - or just go as one of the invited ones. Helen is very fond of you and was very happy to learn that we might be back by then.
Sweet, will you please add these names to your list.
Mr. & Mrs. Alfred F. Muenter, 30 7th Avenue, San Francisco
Mr. & Mrs. Ted Leyden, 430 Kearny, Fresno
Miss Bernice Olney, 175 Clark St.
Mrs. & Mrs. Harry Coffee, Fresno, Cal.
Have been very busy today - a lot of big things in sight which I am not attempting to do justice to. My thoughts just now are for you and I'm trying to have everything arranged so nicely. [awwww!!!]
I hope to see you Thursday night. Mother wrote that Mrs. Weimer is giving us a gorgeous silver bowl [wish I knew what happened to that bowl]. And do you know dear that the flat silver we picked is about the most expensive that Shreves have. [could this be silver engraved with “L” that my brother has now?] Their man it seems told one who was inquiring that it would cost $1000 [that was a lot of money 100 years ago] to complete the flat set. So I don't suppose we will get a big lot of silver. But we can't be worried - we will get enough.
Gee dear it seems that I picked a soiled piece of paper to write on but didn't notice it until too late. So please pardon won't you dear.
Don't you dare let your girl friends be more interested in your marriage than you are yourself [how could that be possible?]. I know you are tired dear but that shouldn't keep you from loving me more and more. Just imagine my responsibilities and still that love grows sweeter every day. So does yours I know it. And keep on thinking of the pretty things - we are going to have them.
That's all I know tonight. Last night I stayed at home and played cards. We had a lot of sport. I beat them but they said wait till you bring your wife out some night and we will get even. But they will all have to travel to get the best of us.
How is your mother - very well I hope. Give her my love. We are all well down here. Be a dear little girl. Loads of love and kisses for you tonight.
Your Sig
FROM LORAINE TO SIG
February 18, 1919 - 6 PM
Sig dear
I waited for the noon mail to come in today and thought surely there would be some word from Dr. Meyer as to whether he will be able to officiate or not, but none came [she was getting quite worried by this point]. It isn't enough that I have other things to attend to, I have to bother about getting the Rabbi, too [Grandma, don’t be irritated – he’s working on setting up the bridal chamber]. And you know we can't wait until the last minute or we won't be getting married at all. By rights you should have attended to this as soon as you knew the date, but it can't be helped now as we waited on Franklin. A few moments ago I wired to your mother and told her to find out if Meyer will be with us, if not, to get Nieto at once, altho' I would rather have the former, and to answer me one way or the other. It is a pretty late date now to be hunting some one to marry us on Sunday. We'll be in fine luck if everyone is busy on that day - preparations, etc and no one to perform the ceremony. We'll have to trust to luck, that's all. You'll have to get busy Friday if we haven't secured any up to that date. But I hope it will be settled before then.
Two presents came today - one from Mina and Morse [not sure who this is], the other from the Benas family; Gertie, Hortense, etc. Will tell you about them when I see you.
This will be my last letter to you, dear, until we meet in Oakland and I'll be waiting for you at the Oakland [Hotel]. Mother sent a list this morning for more announcements.
I'll be so glad when all this excitement is over - it is getting to be too much for me, especially when you are so far away that I have to do the figuring. I do hope we will be able to land some Rabbi. That is the worry I have now. [All of the preparations were draining, which is something my father would have agreed with].
Heard that Mina and her husband were coming to Del Monte last Sunday for a week and I phoned there five times yesterday but they don't seem to be around, although the operator claims they are registered.
I have to be on my way now, love, as I have many things to do yet this afternoon. Be good, and forgive my abrupt letter but my mind is so full that I can't sit down and compose a nice letter.
All for today. Loads of love and kisses, dearest, and I'll see you Thursday.
Your
Loraine
3:30 Just received a wire from your mother saying that Meyer will officiate but he didn't think I wanted an answer. So that is settled, thank goodness. [YAY! Because my life might have never happened if Meyer had not officiated].
Your
Loraine
And as my grandmother would say, that was that. Not only the next-to-last letters but the last letters. And now it’s time for them to get married.
This photo is very blurry but I like to think it is Sig and Loraine leaving the ceremony after being married. They look like they are in a hurry to get wherever they were going!
What a gift my grandparents gave me by leaving their love story for me to find!
Your grandfather sounds like an angel...he certainly knew the happy wife, happy life line. As for your grandmother, she sounded so nervous!! Good to know that their wedding and marriage worked out!
ReplyDeleteShe was always nervous about everything her whole life!
DeleteLOL! Poor Sig!
ReplyDeleteI love their pet names for one another.
ReplyDelete