My maternal grandmother died a few years ago and at the time my mother was still a busy choir teacher. She’s since retired and has begun the task of going through her mother’s things. Two weeks ago, she found a box, full of treasures. You see, Grandma never threw much away. Okay, I think she threw nothing away. She was a hoarder (a neat and orderly hoarder, of course) — of treasured newspaper clippings, and photographs, and even when she passed, her mind was full of fun facts. What my mama found was a piece of history — a link to a simpler time. A time when decorum and etiquette were truly practiced; not the mouthy, disrespectful “gentleman” of today (though on some levels, I believe women have played a roll in the demise of etiquette as well).
She found the ORIGINAL letter that my Grandfather wrote, to my Grandmother, asking her on their first date. SCORE. I wouldn’t be here today if this letter had never been written.

They were married Decebmer 2, 1945, after he returned from the War.
Here is a photo of them in DC taken 1943.
My grandmother was quite the stylish lady, and grandpa looks a bit perturbed. The caption on the back of this image explains that his feet were hurting from his shoes.
As I looked over the letter, again and again, it made me long for simpler days, days when men acted like gentlemen, and women expected to be treated like ladies, because they acted like ladies. It brought to light reasons that country music from this era and subsequent decades actually told a story, and didn’t sound all the same — unlike the country music from today where cat calls, and descriptions of scantily clad women have become the norm. Society has become crass, uncouth, and less civilized.
I don’t know about you, but I love the idea of an Invitation to a Date. Here’s hoping you enjoyed this little look into some family history.
Happy Trails!
That is so cool!! How awesome to have found that and be able to read it and see old pictures like that!
Love this! Thank you for sharing this invitation…I love these types of glimpses into the past. I can see why your grandmother saved it!
What an amazing peek into a world so different from the one we live in today. I wouldn’t call your Grandma a hoarder, I would call her a family historian. I’ll bet your Mom will find more treasures like that you’ll be oh so glad were kept all these years.
These are beautiful vintage finds and of course cherished memories. I occasionally keep letters and inviations so I hope one day someone else can read them : )
What a beautiful find. I’m totally with you on society being crass. I miss the days of hat tips, or removals and ladies in smart suits.
I think when I go home to Mt in a few weeks, I’ll see what my grandparents have hidden. I think folks of that era tend to keep everything.
What a beautiful letter and special piece of history! Thanks for sharing!