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January 18th
Dear Mary,
I have been entirely too long in telling you how delighted I was to have such a beautiful box of Christmas candy as a surprise among my presents, and especially how thoughtful you were to remember me at Christmas time, when you were so busy with exciting new plans. I have enjoyed the chocolates so much, it is delicious candy and the box looked so festive with its huge red satin bows.
Hardly a day goes by that Ruth or I don't make some comment on your secret life. You must be leading a double life at Stanford, not being ready to tell this wonderful news of your engagement to Jack. I feel very special among your friends to be among the first to know it, and I wish you were near by so I could hear about your plans in more detail. How happy I am
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for you, - I like every thing I know about Jack and I'm sure you will be very happy with him. You deserve the best there is in the whole world. Now that you have found the one and only man, your future can only be filled with the good things in life, and I am pleased you and Jack have decided not to wait any longer than fall before you get married.
There are so many charming attributes to your personality, and so many virtues in your character, not to mention your various capabilities, that I would not know what to say to Jack first in congratulating him on your engagement. He is a very lucky man indeed, and because he is so fine himself I feel you both will enjoy many years of wonderful happiness and true companionship.
These will be very exciting months when you are getting your plans settled, and in the meantime your mother must be more than busy in arranging for all the details of your announcement party.
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It will be perfect in every respect, and so lovely, - and I think it is wonderful Ruth will be there to give me a description. She was of course tremendously excited over your asking her to be in your wedding - it continues to be part of our unending conversation about you and your plans. I keep saying how pretty you will look at your engagement party, and then what a beautiful bride you will be. I find I'm planning for you almost as much as if you partly belongs to me. You have become very dear to me, your visit in September with us was full of pleasure for me personally, and I shall always have a very special feeling for you, and interest in all you and Jack do. You two must "never change".
In closing, I want to thank you also for the sweet Christmas angel card, in addition to your special gift card bringing your love with the Christmas box of candy. With many affectionate wishes for this New Year holding as much promise of happiness for you and Jack, and with special love to you,
Rachel F. Bywander[sp?]
