Letter 6 ~ And Cupid's High Above

To Babette ~ February 14, 1991

The ides of February near
And Cupid's high above
And I must make a poem dear
To tell you of my love
To find the words that can convey
The happiness we share
The love that's with us every day
And follows everywhere
The tenderness and caring
That fill each precious hour
The love for you unsparing
That's an all embracing power
But to describe my love for you?
There are not words so fine
So I'll just stick to you like glue
And be your Valentine

Engagement Announcement ~ June 24, 1988

Letter 5 ~ A Fast Growing Love

{To Frank from Babs}  
A Valentine message to someone  
I know. 
A fast growing love, but I'm   
taking it slow. 
If he will be patient, my years  
of "alone" 
Will soon become distant and   
we'll be on our own. 
"Aloneness"is new to him, I've  
gone the route. 
But, we are a "couple", there isn't   
a doubt. 
So, hang in there, sweetheart, you've  
been a good sport. 
I think our relationship's heading  
for port!

Letter 4 ~ All Happiness Be Thine

To Babs
November 19, 1987

Aloha, Boon Companion
All happiness be thine,
Bounteous and merry
Convivial, benign.
While out there in the *boondocks
Remember that you're mine

Frank

* boon.docks pl.n. slang... 2. Back country; hinterland. ... (Tagalog - bundok, mountain) - American Heritage Dictionary

Letter 3 ~ O'hara from Tara (from the back of the envelope)

Monday Dec 13

Dear Scarlett,

 Contrary to popular opinion 1:30 a.m. is not an "ungodly hour." It is an hour when we are closest to God, to our souls and to that little devil that shuns sunlight, our conscience. I, too, went to highschool when boys took no for an answer and married virgins--at least, in theory.

 The "real thing" was wonderful for many years, waned slowly like a harvest moon and faded out completely more years back than I like to remember. There is still hormonal stirring in my genes but it wouldn't affect the angle of my designer jeans, if I had designer jeans. I await a miraculous {illegible} with mixed feelings of wonder and apprehension. I wouldn't want to break anything at this stage of the game. 

 Martha and our other well-wishers are very kind but you are used to walk slowly. We have had a lot of "past" and very little "present" so far. We can go on as we are almost indefinitely. I will be patient. Even if we do "get there" it will take a lot of time and there will be a lot of loose ends to be tied before we could remarry with a clear conscience. 

 You are a caring, intelligent, interesting, sensitive, cheerful, lovable lady. I can't believe that I can be so lucky twice. I love you very much and I intend to do everything I can to make you happy.

 Passionately,

 Rhett 

First 2 Letters

{Babs to Frank}

3 to 4 AM Sun.

- Thinking of being responsible to and for another person full-time again scares me.

- I love the attention and companionship but I feel a little pressure. As if every day must be accounted for. 7 years is a long time without that. 

- I don't know any man I have more respect & fondness for. I can say I love you, but I'm not in love. (A thin line there).

- Your days and nights since Amy died have dragged for you. Mine have speeded up, because of you.

- I think my visit to Arizona will make me miss you a lot and that will tell me a lot. 

{Frank to Babs}

5:30 to 6:00 am Tuesday

- Thinking of being responsible to and for another person full time scares me also. It takes the kind of love that grows over many years and we're not near that stage. We have our own families and they will be our main support for a long while.
- I, too, love the companionship and I know I'm pursuing it too vigorously. It will be hard for me to ease up on the accelerator but I'll try to understand when you step on the brakes. 
- I was "in love" for 48 years. I'm still "in love" and nothing can ever change that. The relationship I'm pursuing is a new and different love which, as it develops will belong to us only. I can't describe it--who can describe love? Right now I think "Boon companionship" is wonderful.
- I'll miss you when you go to Arizona. I hope 2 get their blessing. You can miss me all you want.
Frank