Love Letter 1 – Berkeley

Love Letter 1 – Berkeley

The day begins with my breasts being compressed and contorted to unrecognizable shapes during an early morning mammogram appointment and moments later slips comfortably into the world of 1960 – exactly 60 years ago to the day!
My excitement is palpable, goosebumps ripple up my arms and my heart skips a beat, as I plunge into the pages of my Mom’s first of 76 handwritten love letters to my Dad during the days of their engagement.
I meticulously extract and unfold the seven handwritten pages from the tattered envelope addressed to:

Bryan K. Johnston
110 Cobourg
Winnipeg 5
Manitoba, Canada

The words dance across the page of Love Letter 1 as I struggle to focus on Mom’s beautifully flowing cursive content…

Apt #102
2331 Blake St.
Berkeley, California

August 31/60

Hi honey!
I love you dear!!
I can tell you one thing right now Bryan never again will you put me on a plane and not come with me – you should have seen me dear – had real tears in my eyes for about 20 minutes –
But it was nice to see you and your mom at the airport window. I could see you right until I took off –
The food was really great – and had an old-fashioned – needed one ha –
We arrived in San Fran before our scheduled time so arrived a few minutes before Mary Kaye and Joan (I said goodbye to them for you – ).
Ended upstairs in the bar, but had only one drink as I had had my share during the afternoon.
Your mother is wonderful dear and such a pretty woman – maybe we’ll get along after all even if I don’t have any intention of spoiling my man as she has – can hardly wait to chat and be with her again.
Carol + Phyllis arrived from Minneapolis on Friday and they stayed two nites and drove up to Carmel for several days.
They phoned me after work to-day and we chatted for ½ an hour – picking me up tomorrow pc (after) work and will go over to the city for the evening,
And that dear is my heavy schedule for the month of September.
Oh honey – here it is 9 pm and I keep thinking you’ll drop over, missed your 6 pm phone call – Remember dear I love you so very, very much!!
Joan is doing very well to rehabilitate me – a real nut – I did some washing pc work.
Then we had supper – liver, baked potato and vegs – a well balanced meal dear.
Joan has faithfully put records on and has been singing and marching around the apartment all evening-
Had a beer and 2 cigs.
Did have a good day at work tho’ dear. Actually fairly busy, but have changed my patients and they are a more cheerful crew thank goodness.
Everyone at work is “bugging” me about coming back – wish I would have stayed w/ you dear.
Do say hello to everyone I might know. I hope your trip back was very good and no trouble – especially at the border.
Ernie has been rather busy and going out w/ Mandy – he even brought her chocolates and goodies.
Other than that Berkeley remains the same – there was some sunshine to-day tho’, but a little cool.

Ah, Berkeley in 1960, a joy to envision, although clearly more joyful had Dad been on the bird travelling back with her. I imagine Mom’s tears rolling down her blushed cheekbones as she strains to capture final views of her love through the clouded airplane window. I feel her heart skip a beat and her arms fill with goosebumps as she recalls their warm embrace only moments ago.