Dave,

            How can I thank you for everything you do for me!  You are a very special person in my life and I don’t think you know how special.  There are a lot of times when you think I might not understand you, but I want you to know that I do understand.

            I know that you have a lot on your mind about the future.  I want you to know that I probably think about the future just as much or even a little more than maybe you do.  I think I have a feeling of what you want to talk to me about in a few months.  I’ll be ready.

            The past year has been the best year in my whole life and that is because you were a part of it.  Never have I been as happy about life and doing things with you as over this year.

            You have helped me so much to grow in the gospel and gain such a strong testimony.  I treasure this very much.

            I am glad you are going on a mission.  This really means a lot to me.  I want you to be a good, happy, and successful missionary and not have to keep your mind on things that are not of missionary work.  I want you to know that I want to write and keep in touch with you the whole time you are away.  I promise you that I will definitely be here when you come back home.  There is no way in the world I plan to get married before I am nineteen and I will just barely be turning nineteen when you come back. I just don’t want you to have to worry about me. (I know it is easier said than done.)

            I will still be looking forward, very much, to do things with you after your mission (if you want to).  You are something special in my life that I can’t let go of.  Please stay a part of it.

            I know I could change if you want things that way.  It would be hard but I could do it. (I pray things won’t change your mind.)

            I’ve had that special feeling for two days in a row now and I don’t want it to leave.  We have been able to get close to each other through our experiences together.  I hope we have a lot more experiences ahead of us.

            I just can’t tell you or show you enough how much you meant to me.  Never have I looked up to a young man who keeps his standard and ideals high like you do.

            You are definitely one of a kind!  I want you to know that I care for you very much.  I appreciate all you do for me.  I hope I can repay you some day.

            Just always remember I’ll be there to listen!  Thanks for being you!

                                                                                                Love Always,

                                                                                                            Kathy

December 1973

Well Kathy, the year 1973 has come to a close by now.  I can really say it’s been one of my most memorable years.  I guess this is because one year ago today I met one of the most influential people in my life.  And that person is you.  I’ve grown very much the past year through the experiences we’ve had.  It’s been such an enjoyable year.  I owe you a lot of thanks for helping it be that way for me.  I hope Kathy, that you can always look back at the things we’ve done and smile about them.  If you do that I think everything has all been worth it.

This next year is really going to be different.  I guess I’ll get to spend half of it with you and the other without.  Kathy my going on a mission means very much to me.  My desire to serve has grown through you.  I hope that you will be desirous to spend my mission with me through letter and tape.  It would mean very much to me to have you do this.  I’m pretty sure I would understand if you would rather not, I know you will be pretty busy and might not have a lot of time to keep in touch.  There is a lot I want to talk to you about in the next few months.  Please don’t think what I have to say is kind of dumb.

I know there are times Kathy when I’m a little hard to understand, but I appreciate your patience and consideration with me.

You’re a one of a kind girl Kathy.  My love, appreciation, and respect for you has grown very much over the past year.  You’re someone I’ve been able to walk and to talk with, to laugh with, to make jokes with, to sing with, to have (colds) with, to go to church with, to go to dances with, to be a real great friend with and most of all to pray with.  I’ve done things with you I’ve never done with anyone before.  Kathy, I sincerely hope that this is not the last and only year we will have together.  The experiences we’ve had are too cherished to throw away just on one year, why not build them up in other years.

            I just want to say thanks for you being the wonderful young lady that you are.  I don’t know what the future will bring for us Kathy, but I know what ever it is, Our Father in Heaven will be behind both of us showing the right way.  Remember the things we’ve done and always stay close to the Lord Kathy.  You’re a wonderful example of a woman. Always uphold your fine qualities.  Have a great 1974.

                                                                                                With very much Love,

                                                                                                            Dave

Dear Mom and Dad,

            I hope this book is as much of a joy for you as it has been for me.  As I have been reflecting on the past 30 years of your marriage and what I could do that might make it a little more special, the thought of typing up these letters just couldn’t leave my mind.  It is the perfect starting point in how the past 30 years of your marriage came to be.

            I cherish every letter I’ve been able to type.  This has truly been the greatest love story I have ever read.  Not only was my testimony strengthened by the countless times of reading both of yours, but I feel I was able to gain a new insight into my two wonderful parent’s personalities and deep love for one another.  Not too many kids get to really know in depth how their parent’s relationship became to be. 

            What an incredible missionary you were Dad!  I truly look up to you for the great example you set for your children as missionaries.  You always strived to do your best.  And Mom, what can I say to the most supportive person that ever lived.  I’ve watched you support us kids over the years, but to see the tremendous strength you were to Dad on his mission was absolutely amazing.  I know you will never realize the impact you made in Dad’s life while he was on his mission.

            Dad, as I read a letter that you wrote home to Mom concerning Grandpa Petersen, tears filled my eyes; for I was so grateful that you chose the path you did, that we as your children we’re able to spend each day growing up, feeling the deep roots of the gospel in our parents.

            I will never be able to explain what a privilege this has been to compile this book.  It’s almost hard for me to turn it over to you.  It was such a spiritual uplift to me, every time I sat down to type.  I laughed at times, and I cried at times, loving every minute of it.  It was wonderful!  I could never thank you enough for taking the time you did back then to write letters so faithfully and in such great detail.  It truly is priceless.

            I hope this book might rekindle old feelings and spark new ones as you remember the deep admiration you both had for one another at that point in your lives.  It’s truly is amazing.

            I just want you both to know how much I love you and how grateful I am each day for both of you.  I truly could not be more blessed than to have both of you for my parents.  I am in debt to you for all you have given to me.  Thank you so much for everything, and know that I love you. 

Happy 30^th Anniversary!

                                                                                    Love Always,

                                                                                                Heidi