I am going to type a very precious letter sent to Lynn and me from his Father after he learned that we were going to get married.  I worry that his handwritten copy will not be legible for very much longer. It is now October 1, 2001 and our 54^th wedding anniversary and this letter has always meant a great deal to me and I want its message preserved.

Lynn’s Father was in charge of the welfare program for the church in Sanpete County and he used their letterhead in writing to us.

                              CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS

                                                          Church Welfare Plan

Office of Juab-Sanpete Regional Council                                                           Manti, Utah

My Dear Barbara Jean and Lynn,
We had come from the temple after a long session and had just gone to bed when “buzz” went the telephone.  Well, you know how anxious I am to answer the phone at the midnight hour.  Many varied thoughts went through my mind.  “What is the trouble now?  Who is sick and calling for Mother or Daddy?”  Needless to say that I was thrilled to hear your voice and to know that all was well. 

More thrilled to learn that as far as you are concerned you have at last found the girl of your choice and that she had accepted.  An anxiety which has prevailed since you first entered the war as a “hell cat pilot” for your safety has given place to a satisfaction that all will be well.  I could write the lovely Barbara Jean direct but I feel that I should hesitate for the time being.  I have condescended, however, to write you both and I trust you will sit down and read this together for what I have to say is equally applicable to one as much as to the other.  I was happy to learn the joyful news and especially so to note how happy you seemed to be.

Now Barbara Jean, I trust that you are as happy as Lynn seemed to be.  Our acquaintance with you has been short but when I met you in Salt Lake I thought, “There is a young lady with a personality which would readily fit into Lynn’s life”.  He seems so definitely settled now.  I have often told him not to be hasty in his judgment that the time would come when the right one would come along and that when she did come there would be no question as to her being the proper one.  I firmly believe that a Higher Power directs us in a case of this kind.  The casual admiration as passing fancy  has ripened into a knowledge that the time for definite decisions has arrived.  I trust that time has arrived and that you are now playing the game for keeps.  I hope you have impressed it upon Lynn that he must meet the issue fairly and squarely before your parents for after all it is their parental right to pass upon the qualifications of one who expects to take from them the flower of their little flock.  They know their child and feel that she is entitled to the best, as we can vouch for our son.

Barbara Jean dear, we shall welcome you into our family circle.  We shall welcome you into our home and into our hearts.  Come see us as soon as you can.  Let us know your immediate plans.  We shall hope to meet your parents soon and become intimately acquainted with them.

With heaps of love we are yours,                  Mother and Daddy