Love Letter 61 – Electrolux Man

Love Letter 61 – Electrolux Man

I’m momentarily distracted from the aging, stuffed envelope addressed to Mr. Bryan K. Johnston while catching a glimpse out my third floor window onto the #351 double decker bus taking a hard left like an F1 racer taking his last lap toward the chequered flag. I quickly lose interest in the increasing uptown traffic and slowly slink into the sheep-skinned covered wishbone chair, feverishly flip on Aretha Franklin and secretly slip into the wonderful world of January, 1961 with Mom’s Love Letter 61:

12 p.m.
Friday nite
Hi My Darling!
Oh how I miss you — I love you so very much, dear.
Damn it another Saturday nite appearing, but I keep thinking only 5 more alone without you.
Time seems to be going, but then again it seems to stand still.
There is so very much to do –
Went bowling to-nite and what a lousy nite of it – big best score 115.
I have so many things on my mind certainly can’t concentrate long enough to have 3 games.
Oh I love you so – wish you were w/ me right now, honey.
Last nite took my material over for my gown so maybe you’ll see me in white on the 18th yet – but she will not start my gown for at least 2 more weeks so it will fit perfectly – like a glove my dear.
Then we met an old crew of women friends we knew & had a beer — gabbed & before we knew it it was after midnite.
To-nite the electrolux man came & demonstrated the use of the machine to clean our apartment so as of Feb 1st we will own a vacuum cleaner.
Then Walter Andres came over – he will definitely take moving pics – (about 4 rolls) (approx 25-30 mins). He will get the rolls wholesale from his brother in Edmonton & save some money.
Honey, do you think 4 rolls is too much? Tell me what you think, Uncle Frank will be taking slides.
Also Walter will definitely lend us his car & decorate Sat morning (we’ll have to have someone other than Walter drive it so he can take pics – but all is arranged).
Also Walter is bringing a wholesale catalogue over for me to choose our wedding gift.
What a job that is – I have ideas but it’s hard to tell someone to bring a specific item.
Everyone is asking me what we want – Dear, if there’s anything specific tell me! for sure!
Fairly sure of an electric frying pan anyhow.
– What a job.
List anything we want dear!
That’s wonderful about your Mom lending us the money – now we owe her $1800 – we’ll sure have to get that paid off – we’ll figure it out dear! Great!
About the bed frames – see what Mr. Wilson says, but if iron rails are available they sound pretty fair in that a wooden frame can take quite a beating w/ packing, moving, etc – and Mom mentioned that with one of our old beds w/ wooden frames they really find it hard to fit properly after a number of years – but of course dear if no iron ones available — take the others.
Your decision will be perfect, honey.
Got arrangements re: the hall, decorators, etc fairly final.
Work going not too bad, quite busy, but just so pleased to be thru’ w/ that place.
Saw & talked w/ Denise Whaley to-day (had a drs’ appt) and had a great gab session.
They received your letter, dear & Doug was real happy about being our best man.
Am going over there Wed (day-off) for a visit.
Also Denise expecting another wee one in Aug – great, eh?!
I told her I’d tell you before she did – how wonderful.
Soon dear I’ll surprise you w/ similar news – a year I hope only.
Still can’t believe it’s only 6 weeks, but wow.
Well dear, I’ll close now as must get some shut-eye.
Will write again Sun.
I miss you so — always my love to you!
Yours always,
Bette XXXXXXXXX
Chopp – Chopp!
(cont’d back of page 3)
Honey, please work on our thesis – get it done.
Always remember I hate reminding you about it, but hope it gives you some initiative to get it done.
Will be off our minds and we’ll have a ball moving into our new home (I love you).
Also – either you’re too excited or frustrated to omit “chopp-chopp” in our last letter.
how come —
no chopp – chopp!!??
I love you more than anything Bryan!
As Ever Yours, dear
Love n’ Kisses,
Bette
back of page 4:
Hello from everyone here!
Hello to everyone there!
Love Bette XX

A mere five Saturdays, Mom and the electrolux man will be a distant memory as you race up the aisle to your engineering man!
p.s. 4 rolls of moving pics of yours and Dad’s wedding is definitely not too much!

We’re going riding on the freeway of love