I'm continuing my series of scanning, transcribing, and annotating my grandfather's love letters to my grandmother leading up to their marriage in June 1940. The letters are chronologically organized and preserved, using the methods I discuss in detail in my book, Creating Family Archives: A Step-by-Step Guide for Saving Your Memories for Future Generations . 

In the 23rd letter of the Grandpa's Love Letters series, Grandpa has had it! He's decided that the overtime he put in during the previous weekend wasn't worth it, as he had even more work on Monday. (Years before Sheryl Sandberg's ridiculous idea of "leaning in," Grandpa realized that leaning in will only make you exhausted!)

Some questions: What happened to Tony? What card was brought to the library? What stamps did Grandpa want?

We learn in this letter that Otto is getting married in May, and Grandpa is preparing for his honeymoon by getting a driver's license. 

I found this photograph from the mid-forties. It features Bob Zabit (Grandma's stepbrother), Grandma (Ann), and Charles Note. Charles died in battle in the Philippines. My father was named after him. Did Grandpa take this picture? 

***

Scranton Pa

4/10/40

Dear Ann

I definitely will be home Saturday. Unless things change considerably I will not work overtime anymore.

Sorry to hear about Tony's accident. No doubt his parents will have to suffer and pay for it. I appreciate your bringing the card to the library for me. I did want those stamps. 

Otto told us that he intends to get married May 30th.

I did not catch up with my work after working all that overline and I don't intend to do it again after what happened Monday. There is still plenty of work coming through but I am getting some help and may get more help later on. 

No doubt I'll soon have to ask about rooms up here so as we can save some time and effort latter [sic] on. 

I may get my New Jersey Drivers license on Saturday as we will need them when we go honeymooning. I will need the car even before we get married in order to come back after Otto's wedding. I do not know yet whether or not we will have to work on May 30th. 

I must close now as we are going to walk downtown to mail our letters. 

I remain as ever your everloving sweetheart 

:"Ray"

***

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