Our Place by the Sea by Jonathan Kuiper

Author:Jonathan Kuiper
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: coming of age, military love, world war 2 romance, war letters
Publisher: Manning Lake Press
Published: 2021-02-18T00:00:00+00:00

Unwelcomed Surprises

I watched my mother as she told her story. It was weird to picture her as a teenager and obviously head over heels for someone. I didn’t realize she was going to be so thorough with her explanation of how they met and what went from there.

All the same, I knew why she was telling me this way. She wanted to show how their bond grew. I will admit as the self-centered chap that I was at the telling of her story, I might have contemplated telling her to speed up the tale but thought better of it as we were only at the beginning. Not to mention, I realized I would likely come across as an ass for showing my impatience. Perhaps you wished I mentioned something else, that vital part we look to in many relationships — that of a solid foundation. Her telling the story was laying that necessary base.

A foundation is something all relationships need to survive. Contrary to what we might think, one can survive on physical pleasures or trivial conversations. But in order to live, breathe, and be a functioning unit, you need to know what the other person is all about. This will include his or her secrets, dreams, and what that person aspires and wants in life. All of this forms a strong foundation, ready for anything and any challenge.

I think we can all relate to the feelings Norman and Gwen felt leaving each other that first night. You are so excited you made a connection, but the logical part of you knows that there is still much to do, and you can’t jeopardize your other responsibilities.

I find the irony in our first hours after leaving an excellent date. You are on top of the world and then when the next morning comes, if it’s young love, everything starts to drag because of the desire to be together again. In the meantime, the day is filled with moping and running through every moment you shared together. It is an endless and sometimes painful cycle.

Norman was in this very boat for most of Saturday. He was surprised to find himself doing nothing but thinking of the girl he met the night before. She had left quite an impression on him. The only problem, hence the word, only, was his leaving in less than a month. Was it worth getting any closer to her when he would have to leave to fight in the war?

That is an interesting dilemma to consider. I know I have not had that problem. Oh wait, I suppose I can relate. Like me, Norman didn’t know what to do. He knew that he enjoyed Gwen’s company and for the first time in a while, he was happy. This was not that euphoric feeling one has when they are glad to be alive. No this was different. He was delighted to care for someone else besides himself and his grandmother.

In a rush, he wrote a letter to Gwen asking her for another date.

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