Dick and Doree were engaged on New Year’s Eve in Pomona, but Dick didn’t get a chance to go home to Whittier to tell his parents until January 5. That’s when the news began to spread.
The first news came in the form of letters to and from various relatives. Of course Dick’s Aunt & Unc needed to know right away, and Dick’s letter to them is at right. More letters came later from Tirzah and Harold. All of them are worth reading.
Doree’s scrapbook keeps track of every party, every event, and all of the shower invitations and her typed captions are pictured on this page.
After the announcement of the engagement, Doree received the above note from her Aunt Judy (her mother’s sister).
Harold (Dick’s dad) sent the above letter (click to enlarge it for reading) to Frank & Tirzah in Indiana, to tell them about Doree. This description of her is one of my favorites because I think he got it exactly right – which is pretty amazing considering how long he’d known her. The letter is also interesting for its description of the military draft, and the testing of the atom bomb.
After the first round of engagement parties, the wedding showers began to rain down. Harold and Mildred started it off with an “open house” party on Feb. 18, which was attended by all of the Votaw family relatives and covered in the newspaper.
Right after she heard the news, Dick’s mother sat down and wrote this letter to Doree to welcome her into the family. The first page of the letter is pictured above; the rest of it is transcribed below.
Friday morning Jan. 5th
My dear Doree,
Dick just told us the exciting news! How I wish I had words to express exactly how I feel but as Helen Keller so wisely explained – “The best and most helpful things in the world cannot be seen nor even touched, but just felt in the heart.” That’s the way I feel this morning. My heart is so full of the joy and expectations I feel for you and Dick – I just can’t put those feelings in words.
Harold and I have always loved and fully enjoyed Dick from the time he was born but we always wanted a daughter too – and that seemed not to be – until now. You’re worth waiting for – even in this short time we have learned to love you and feel “you two are just right for each other.” Your parents have every right in the world to be proud of such a lovely daughter. We welcome you into our family with open arms and I’m sure you have enough love to share.
John Ruskin said “When love and skill work together expect a masterpiece” – that’s what we are expecting of your life together.
Dick’s parents
Harold’s birthday letter to Dick during the engagement, full of advice and love.
Dick and Doree each had their own engagement parties for the guys and the gals.
Eleanor’s mother, of course, was Aunt Cile. Wish I’d been there to see it.
Corner of wedding shower napkin for Dick & Doree
1-5-51
Dear Aunt & Unc,
This note will be short, but it will contain some very sweet news. As of Dec. 31, 1950 at 11:58 p.m., Doree and I have become engaged and plan to be married sometime this fall, probably in October. We aren’t announcing it until March, but I guess it wouldn’t make any difference if you told back there. We’ve only told our parents, Doree’s brother and wife, and Eleanor. We are both so happy we could burst.
She is really the most wonderful girl ever and she is just like my mother. I told Mom this morning that I know I could never be satisfied until I found a girl like her and now I’ve found her.
The Glee Club sang at the Biltmore Bowl the last two nights & so I went home after that to tell them. They were at a party so I had to wait until breakfast this morning. I sure do wish you could meet her – I’m just sure you’ll love her too. I’ll tell you all about her when I see you.
All my love
Dick
Dick wrote this letter to Frank and Tirzah (Aunt & Unc) in Indiana to tell them the big news. It’s fun to read what he says about Doree. The dates he gives in this letter were all changed.
Doree and Dick selected their “patterns” – their choices of style for china, crystal, and silver – and sent them off to everyone. Dick’s Aunt sent two crystal sherbet glasses immediately, and that is the gift Tirzah refers to in her letter below. At the time of this writing Doree is still learning how to spell everyone’s name!
Jan 30
Dear Doree,
Thanks for writing us. When Mil wrote me your choice of patterns I just couldn’t hardly wait to go in and see them, so of course I had to send something. You sure have good taste. I just love all the things you picked. And surely Dick has told you some day your to have my Haviland and I believe it will go very well with your china.
Every time Dick would go with a girl just a little, I would always ask “Will she like my china?” I’m sure you will. We can’t find out everything all at once so far away but we fell we know you too and we love you. It will be hard for you to understand how very close we are to Dick but he is the boy we wanted and couldn’t have. His mother thot we spoiled him but we really didn’t. To us he is perfect and you and I could talk for hours and not have to change the subject. I hope we can some day.
We just can’t hardly wait for your picture. We sent the one on that is to go in the Indianapolis paper and we were sorry to give it up. Every mail we hope. You look like your so sweet and pretty and we know you are for Dick tells us that and much more.
I’ll be sending you things not even worth a thank you note for I just want to send something often. I really don’t do nice hand work but a year ago Dick asked me to make some things and I love doing it – anything for him I like and now with you who we love and will be wanting and needing so many even little things it will be fun. Every stitch I take is full of love and hope for your happiness.
We will be just sick if we don’t get to the wedding. Put it as late as you can for Unc says with a new man on the farm he can’t leave till the corn is planted. A lot you know about such things I imagine Ha! How I would love to be at your party tonight. We will be thinking of you, that’s all we do. We are having a slick cold winter. Calif. sounds good to us. I’m sending some things in a day or two.
With much love
Aunt
Dear Doree:
I think Aunt has expressed my feelings too. I’m sure we are going to love and enjoy you a lot. We certainly are very interested in the girl Dick is going to marry. We can hardly wait to meet you and Hope to be at the wedding.
Lots of love
“Unc”
It’s hard for us to appreciate the importance of the china, etc. This tradition has died out in our day. But in 1951 it was a big deal. Aunt’s “Haviland” refers to the maker of her good china. In those days, people would give large dinner parties in their homes, and it was expected that the host would use “good” dishes for the party that were much more elegant than their everyday dishes. Glasses were made of crystal, and tableware was made of silver.
The public announcement of Dick & Doree’s engagement was made at a party given on January 30 at a Chinese restaurant in Pomona. The engagement was a secret to be revealed at the party, and for the reveal they used a puzzle written like a formula. The party was given a big write-up in Pomona’s newspaper.
0 Comments