1946 Sex Education Letter

Saturday night, early February, 1946

Dearest Ray,

Grace Laverne is planning to leave tomorrow afternoon for Canyon and Monday afternoon for Chicago.  So I want to write you this letter in order that you will have received it before she arrives.

I wish she had not insisted on going to Chicago before hand; that the plans had worked out as first arranged, the wedding in the Spring, her, and both of you leaving together.  But they didn’t and she is coming to you instead.

Now, I would be right along with her if it were not for the “small” matter of money, so I just have to trust her to your care and protection.

As long as you were here with me you were safe.  But with out my protection you might have been swept off your feet.  (“You” is plural).  Now you will not have that loving supervision.  So I am depending on you to keep yourself well in hand.  For you know the

paths of love and passion often run side by side and at times are intertwined, so that they are indistinguishable.  One doesn’t have to be bad to make a miss-step; they can be mistaken. And two people as much in love as you and Grace Laverne are could make that mistake mighty easy.  The result being that immediately your love would turn to hatred.  There is a story of just such an occurrence in the Bible, if you care to read it -  2 Samuel, Chapter 13.

Now, if just can’t bare it any longer, you can be married at once.  But be sure and let me know for by that time I may have my land money and can come up.  Besides, I want Grace Laverne married by a Methodist Minister at the alter rail of my church. 

Then there is another thing, Your parents may not believe in so much affection between two persons and they might get shocked.  There are very few persons like I am.  So be reserved but out in the open also.  I can’t stand slipping around or getting off in dark corners.  You have nothing to hide or be ashamed of.  But even so, I don’t want them to have the wrong opinion of my little girl.  I don’t want her lying in your arms; it is going a little too far and is too much of a temptation.  Besides, remember, your parents’ opinion is to be considered.

Now, I could say a lot more but I have given you a general outline and you know what I mean.  Every thing I have said has been said because I love you, I am glad to give Grace Laverne to you, and I want you to enter life together without a blemish, without a regret to look back on.  I think you are the finest young man in the world.

Lovingly,

Mrs. Tilson