"I get as tongue tied as a sophomore" - December 23, 1941
Miss Jeanne Johnson
Sheboygan, Wis.
Monday Eve.
Dearest Jean,
Darling I got your swell present this afternoon, and don’t know how I’ll ever be able to thank you. Sitting here this evening I can’t find the words to express my thanks or show my appreciation, not only for the swell case, but for the many things you’ve done for this soldier in the last six months. And ironically enough, this Christmas, it must be with words alone that I express my appreciation. ‘Wish I could say “Darling, here’s the moon, getting it for you was nothing,” — but no, whether I like it or not, I can just say “thanks,” and am forced to let it go at that.
It was swell hearing your voice again last week, but it only made me wish all the more that I could be at home. I had so darn many things I wanted to say to you last Sunday and then left unsaid, that I can hardly wait to get my pass signed and get on that old train for Wisconsin. Why is it that when I talk with you I get as tongue tied as a sophomore? Heck, with anyone else it’s the other way around — if anything, I talk too much.
I saw the adjutant again this morning about my pass, but again he said I’d have to wait till after Christmas to find out for sure whether it would go through or not. I’ll write as soon as I find out definitely one way or the other.
If I leave Denver Wednesday afternoon and get to Chicago at 8:00 the next morning, I should be able to be in Milwaukee by noon, at the latest. If you can make it, it’d be swell if you’d meet me in Milwaukee. Though the sooner I see you the better I’ll like it, I’d rather meet you there than in Chicago, for that drive to Chicago would be a heck of a tough one for you, especially with all the holiday traffic.
I’ve been batted down so many times before, that I’m trying not to be too optimistic about actually getting home this time, but hold your thumbs for me anyway, will you darling?
A million thanks for your swell Christmas present — I’m using it already, and it’ll be just the thing when I get back to camp.
With the hope that you’ll accept it, I send you all my love, and with the bestest gal what is, the Merriest Christmas ever—
As always,
I love you,
Louis
