I am getting this post done under the wire of midnight. I had one of those days that you could not have predicted when you wake up. I had a surprise “Aunt Day” in which I got to take care of my “God Children” (there’s not a good term for what they are to me but that is the closest I think) for the day! It was a rainy, cold day in NC so we got to do crafts, games, movies and hot cocoa. It was a luscious day and I savored every moment with those two blessings. I find children bring me back to what is most important- staying present, being kind, finding joy in life.

It is a two letter kind of day. Have you ever missed someone so much you had to write to them twice? Well, my granddaddy felt that way with his honey on August 24th, 1946. In the letter he speaks of planning for the location of their wedding. It seems they thought about Duke Chapel. Duke is such a special place in our family- both of my grandparents got their Master’s there and they dragged me there with my first girlfriend when I was in high school and basically demanded I go there as well. I’m a people pleaser and follow directions, so I did in fact attend Duke University to get my Master’s in Nursing. It is where I met my wife, who was getting her Physician’s Assistant Degree. Yes, we have an NP and PA in the same house. So Duke holds a special place in my heart. We thought about having our wedding in their gardens, but dismissed it as well.

Enjoy these sweet letters. Stay warm, stay safe.