52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week # 36 “School Days”
I have chosen to write about my grandparents for this week’s writing challenge, for it was during their school days that they met and fell in love.
I remember my grandmother telling me about the first time she met my grandfather. My grandmother was the only child still living at home and because her widowed mother was a practical nurse, she had to travel quite a bit, so my grandmother stayed with her sisters or brothers during the times her mother was gone.
It was early one weekend morning. This particular morning, she was staying with her sister, Velva. Velva and her husband had hired some boys to do some work on their farm. My grandfather was one of the boys. My grandmother was still in bed asleep when one of her brothers came into the bedroom for something. My grandfather and one of his brothers were following behind him. They were quickly introduced. She said she sat straight up in bed and jerked the covers up to her chin, but politely greeted them. This was the beginning of a friendship that would turn into a courtship and a lifelong love. I believe my grandfather was smitten the first time he laid eyes on my grandmother.
Both my grandparents’ families lived in small farming communities. My grandfather, Lewis Albert Stafford was born 13 July 1920 in Birome, Hill County, Texas. He was the third youngest of ten children. By the 1930 census, the family were living in Limestone County.
My grandmother, Margaret Evelyn Parten, was born 7 August 1921 in Delia, Limestone County, Texas. She was the youngest of nine children.
They began writing letters to each other over the next several years. My grandmother kept all her letters from my grandfather, but I have never been able to find any that she wrote to him. Apparently, he didn’t save them, but you get a sense of the relationship through my grandfather’s letters.
Among the earliest letters written to my grandmother was dated October 14, 1935. My grandmother would have just turned fourteen and my grandfather fifteen.
Mart, Texas
Route 4
Oct 14, 1935
Dearest Evelyn,
I guess you thought I wouldn’t answer your letter you wrote but since I started to school I don’t know if they will let us write to each other. But I am going to stay home a few days and pull bollies. But I will be back. I couldn’t get along without seeing a good looking girl like you. I told Howard I didn’t like anything at Prairie Hill but you Evelyn. Some Saturday nite you come down to Velvas and stay all night and I will come after you and we will go to a show or some where if you can go. I have been down at Velva’s house all evening me and some more boys. They was talking about good looking girls. I told them you was the best looking girl at Prairie Hill and Mart to. Howard said a man was coming to school and take some pictures today. If he does you have some made and send me the best one. Did you go to the ball game Sat nite. I sure hated it because I didn’t get to go. I came up there and they said the bus had just left. It sure made me mad. I heard Prairie Hill won. I sure was glad they won. Well I will close. Answer soon write a long letter if them boys will let you. Ans soon
Love always Love
Your Best Friend Lewis
PS. Wrote with a pencil and sealed with a kiss
If you love me you will answer this.
Love
Lewis
Ans Soon
Lewis
My grandparents continued their courtship throughout their school days.
They were happily married on October 14, 1939
Digging Up Roots 