"...the way of a man with a maiden."

More than a love story lived quietly through the chaos of 1976, this compilation of love letters, and journal entries transports us back to a more innocent time and reminds us of our own life story.  The letters were found, revisited and shared as an explanation of who they were 44 years ago but also as a study on the human journey.  The author’s running narrative which she uses to create this character study blends humor, sarcasm and respect to provide a picture of their lives; then and now.  In these pages you may see yourself.  If you too have loved, you will have “ah ha!” moments.  You may laugh, you may cry, you may be angered and you may be encouraged…that is life. Originally written for her children and grandchildren as a gift of their heritage, the book began to reveal themes and topics worthy of consideration by a greater audience. One of the main themes of the book is their Christian faith and convictions. These convictions are explained and commented on to compare her early belief system to that which she holds today...after 44 years of life. This book is an authentic picture of these two country farm-kids as they prepare to begin their journey toward each other. As stated by her husband in the forward; an individual often experiences chagrin today by what they wrote yesterday. However, both Wayne and Charlene believe that the life lessons revealed here are worth that pain of that embarrassment. Their early personalities are exposed...good and disappointing… and the ensuing struggles to blend two people into one are revealed. They initially lived in two different countries and did most of their dating through letters, so we can now look back and watch that blending in black and white. In stark honesty.  The narrations are not shy about pointing out difficulties that arose throughout the ensuing years with the sole purpose to remind others that life happens and God stays with us.   The author believes that sometimes old beliefs need to be restated. Maybe they are only ‘old’ beliefs because our generation stopped communicating them…and not because they are worn out or dead.

A compilation of love letters, journal and diary entries, as well as present day comments that combine to tell a love story and provide insight into character development, compromise and commitment in forming two people into one as God designed. The letters were written 44 years ago when the couple were in their early twenties. We are introduced to them when they were single and not really on each others radar. We are able to glean info about their thoughts of marriage, partner choice, life goals, faith and many faucets of their personalities because of the extensive writing that they both engaged in. Their courtship, engagement and wedding planning days were mostly lived apart in two different countries but their letters are rich with entertainment, wisdom, encouragement, tears and laughter. The letters remind us of a simpler yet more labor intensive life through descriptions of their days activities on their dairy farms in Canada and Upstate New York.