Between Friends

Reception immediately following the ceremony

MR. AND MRS. BUCK KNOWLES

July 2, 1966

Dear Mom and Dad,

I’m busy writing thank-you notes for the wedding gifts and I realized I hadn’t sent one to you. Buck and I owe you both so much and are extremely grateful for everything you’ve done. The pot and pan set is wonderful, and far and above what Buck and I expected, especially after you paid for the wedding.

We’re very grateful for the used crib, too. Buck is going to refinish it once he’s back from basic training. I love you both so much.

Buck, Lesley &?

Jillian’s Diary

August 3, 1966

I don’t think I’ve ever been more disappointed in my mom and dad. I finally convinced Nick that my parents prize honesty above all else and that we should simply tell them we’re going steady. He came to the house just the way I asked and Dad answered the door and almost didn’t let him in because of his police record. (He was once charged with assault. It happened during a fight three years ago, and he was actually defending another boy. He got a suspended sentence.)

I stood with Nick and we held hands, but I could see that Nick was close to losing his cool. Mom wouldn’t even look at him. And Dad treated him like a criminal for having the audacity to ask his little girl out on a date. What neither of my parents seems to understand is that I’m not a child. I’m eighteen years old and perfectly capable of making my own decisions, and I reminded my father of this before he had time to tell me otherwise. Dad insisted that it didn’t matter what age I am. As long as I live under his roof, I have to do what he says and he doesn’t want me dating Nick Murphy. Then Nick and Dad started shouting at each other and Nick stormed out. I haven’t spoken to Mom or Dad since, but they can’t stop me from seeing Nick and they know it.

They think that just because I’m leaving for college in a few weeks, what Nick and I feel for each other will end. I haven’t told Nick yet, but I’ve decided I’m going to marry him. I knew it the first time he kissed me. No, even before that, when he wouldn’t kiss me because I was wearing Scott’s ring. He’s everything I want in a husband. Three girls in our graduating class are already married. Lesley, Judy and Pam. Soon it will be Nick and me, and then we’ll see what Dad has to say.

NAME: DAVID MICHAEL KNOWLES

BORN: SEPTEMBER 29, 1966

WEIGHT: 6 LBS, 7 OUNCES

LENGTH: 20 INCHES

PARENTS: BUCK AND LESLEY KNOWLES

JILLIAN LAWTON

BARNARD COLLEGE

PLIMPTON HALL

NEW YORK, NY 10025

October 10, 1966

Dearest Lesley,

I can’t believe it, you’re a mother! I opened the birth announcement and nearly screamed with excitement. I loved the picture, but really, Les, little David’s going to be mortified when he’s older and sees this photo of him only a few hours old with a blue ribbon in his hair. The poor thing. You didn’t say a word about labor. Was it horrible?

I hate school. Well, not exactly hate it, but I miss everyone so much. Mostly Nick and you, of course. I’m living in a big dorm and sharing a room with Janice Stewart, a girl from Florida. She seems nice, but she isn’t you. We talk some but we don’t seem to have a lot in common. She doesn’t have a boyfriend back home and doesn’t understand what it is to miss someone the way I miss Nick.

Speaking of Nick, he can’t afford phone calls and he doesn’t want me “wasting” all my allowance on phoning him, so we write nearly every day. Don’t be shocked if I tell you how much I love him. Please don’t be like everyone else. Just be happy for me the way I am for you and Buck.

You asked about my classes, and thus far everything’s going all right, I guess. The classes, especially history, are wonderful, with lots of discussion. If it wasn’t for those I think I’d go nuts. Dad suggested I fulfill all the course requirements in my first year and I followed his advice, but I did sign up for one psychology class, which I’m really enjoying. New York isn’t so bad, either, not the way I thought it would be. Last weekend, Janice and I went into Manhattan and took the ferry over to Ellis Island and climbed the Statue of Liberty.

Gotta scoot, but I promise I’ll write again soon. I hope David likes the baby blanket. It’s handmade (although not by me!).

Love,

Jillian

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

Detachment C, 500th Personnel Services Battalion

Unit 20121

APO AE 09107

ORDERS 65-10 22 December 1966

KNOWLES, DAVID JAMES, 552-02-3776, SFC 587TH SIG CO 9WFTXAA0 APO AE 09131

You will proceed on permanent change of station as shown. Information concerning port call will be provided separately.

You are hereby ordered to report for active duty in Vietnam.

Reporting Date: 26 December 1966

1967

JILLIAN LAWTON

BARNARD COLLEGE

PLIMPTON HALL

NEW YORK, NY 10025

January 16, 1967

Dear Nick,

I know we only said goodbye a few days ago, and already I find myself missing you so much I don’t know how I can possibly go back to school. I can’t bear to be this far away from you! The Christmas holidays were wonderful because of all the time we were able to spend together, despite my parents. You’d think that by now they’d realize you and I are serious.

I’ve always thought of my father as a man of wisdom, but these past three weeks have opened my eyes. Okay, he’s right, you do have a record, but that happened years ago when you were fourteen. Everyone makes mistakes and your record’s been clean ever since. I hate to say this, but my father is a fool.

I don’t want you to feel bad about the argument between me and Dad. It’s been building for a long time. I tried to talk to Mom and she listened, but I know she immediately told my father everything I said. I can’t trust her. The only people I can talk to anymore are you and Lesley. How different all our lives are from just a year ago! Last year at this time the most pressing problem was what theme to choose for the Junior/Senior Prom.

Lesley looked good, don’t you think? I didn’t mind that Buck wasn’t there when we went to visit. Little Davey is a beautiful baby. Holding him made me long for a baby of my own. I’d need to think about who his daddy would be. Any volunteers?