E M T

Hope Valley

November 20, 1918

My darling Lucas,

Thank you so much for the outing to Benson Hills. I got so much more accomplished than I thought I would. But more than that, I had such a wonderful time.

Our lunch was so enjoyable; I loved listening to your stories of your travels as a boy. It is exciting that you would like to share those places with Jack and me in the future. Your eyes light up with such pleasure that I can't help but be drawn in. To think…. Europe … cities like…Paris, London, Munich, Rome…. And all the way across the world to Singapore and Japan or down to South America. I have been to a few places in Europe, but you have seen so many more, places that I have only read or dreamed about. I would love for us to begin to tell Jack of the world we have visited. Ours is so small here in HV. It's a perfect place to raise a family, but I want him to wonder about what is beyond as well. I am sure he would be fascinated by the new globe you have in your office. We will be able to show him all the places we have been and all the places we might visit someday.

Thank you for putting up with the shopping although you didn't act like it was a drudgery thank goodness. Father use to act like a martyr when my mother brought him shopping, but perhaps he too was happy to escort her in their courting days. We found the perfect gifts for Jack for both his birthday and Christmas. He is going to be one happy boy. And I was so excited about the ideas we came up with for some of our friends too. It helps to have a man along to assist with presents for some of the guys. Although you seemed to have some input for the women too…. I must say Mr. Bouchard, you have some exquisite taste. I hope I dropped enough hints for you! I certainly did my best. And I picked up on some hints from you as well. We will just have to see on some of them. I am so happy you were with me, as you are just such a wonderful companion.

I am also glad we talked about the upcoming holidays at tea. I am pleased you shared your thoughts rather than just surprise me. While as you know, I love surprises, sometimes it's better to plan. I think having family come to Hope Valley for the holidays definitely falls in the latter category, especially since it is such a busy time with the Christmas festival, school choir Christmas event, Jack's birthday and Christmas day. I will write to my parents to see if they would come. They haven't been to Hope Valley since my father came for my wedding. I would love to have them meet my men! And my sister Julie I think is itching for a visit as she hasn't been here since the christening. I am excited and hadn't dared to dream that we might all be together during the holidays. Thank you for offering to put everyone up at the Queen of Hearts.
My parents are somewhat aware of our friendship but nothing more. Although who knows what Julie has told them about you from the little time she spent here. Julie has a hint of our growing relationship from my letters to her which, shall we say, have you a more and more prevalent topic of discussion. In any case, I am going to tell my parents of you and how very much you mean to me. They will be so delighted because they have hoped that I would find love again. At one time they wanted me to return to Hamilton where, in their eyes, there were more prospective suitors. But of course, I have already known for quite a while that I was falling for you and just needed time to find my way back. I will post my letter to them in the morning. I am sure they will be writing or calling very soon to confirm that they will come to meet you and see for themselves about our relationship. I think they were just planning a quiet Christmas at home so there shouldn't be any conflict. I am expecting a call from Julie in the next few days and will give her heads up so she will support the plan. But I will tell her that I want Mother and Father to read my letter before she talks to them so that they can hear this news from me.

From what you said, it sounds like your parents plan to go to their place in San Francisco for several weeks. I hope that they can be persuaded to stop here first and perhaps continue on their way in the new year. Your mother already knows your heart and she definitely suspects mine as well; so, I am sure she will want to get your father here to meet me. We are truly blessed to have parents that love us. One can only love them for wanting the best for us.

We have so much planning to do for the holidays and it seemed like we had so much time between now and then; but now this new plan has really brought new excitement and activity. I am so glad I have you to plan this with. Please let Gustave know how grateful we will be for his help with festivities especially since he has so much extra work at this time of year. Hopefully we can sit with him and coordinate menus between the restaurant and family events to ease his mind about the meal planning. I don't want to get on his bad side since he has been one of our biggest proponents. We can perhaps get him some extra help from some of the ladies in town who love to make Christmas desserts. This may be an offense to his grand cuisine, but I am sure one of us can put the charm on and convince him to accept some help. I am so grateful that you have his devotion, which I see, is returned in kind.

Lucas….. the trip to Benson Hills was wonderful, but you are always prepared to add a special touch to an already wonderful time. To have someone who thinks about my happiness above all makes me feel so cherished. You timed our return trip so perfectly. I couldn't believe it when we stopped at our bridge just as the sun was about to set. And you had planned it even before we left because you had blankets to wrap around us stored in the car. And how did you manage to get hot cocoa and cookies before leaving Benson Hills without me even realizing it?

When you took my hand and led me to the very spot where we had our first kiss, I didn't need anything but the memories to keep me warm. But then you reminded me that I don't need to recall the dream to feel the warmth. You touched my cheek, and I could feel the blush spreading, warming me against the frigid air. And when you held me to you and touched your lips to mine, I was lost in my living dream; one I hope to never wake up from.

I am forever yours,

Elizabeth