This week we have mourned the passing of former president George H.W. Bush. He passed away on November 30th at the age of 94, but his death has brought to light a letter that reminds us all what an amazing man he really was.
His wife, Barbara, passed away in April of this year, and as most of us know, they loved each other with a passion right to the very end. The letter that has resurfaced is a letter that George wrote to her some 73 years ago that she kept safely tucked inside a scrapbook.
It was written on December 12, 1943, while George was serving as a U.S. Navy pilot during World War II. At the time he and Barbara were engaged to be married.
The letter was recently shared on Twitter by presidential historian Michael Beschloss and begins with the words, “My darling Bar.” He has quite a bit to say in the letter, and it proves just how much they loved each other. Their love never burned out over the years either. In fact, they were the longest married couple in presidential history. They met at a Christmas dance when they were just teenagers.
By August 1943 they were engaged and they announced their engagement to the public on December 12, 1943. The letter says, “I love you, precious, with all my heart and to know that you love me means my life.”
The letter explains that he was looking forward to venturing overseas, but meeting Barbara changed all that. All he wanted to do was get home safely to her.
“This may sound melodramatic, but if it does it is only my inadequacy to say what I mean. Bar, you have made my life full of everything I could ever dream of – my complete happiness should be a token of my love for you.”
On January 6, 1945, the two finally got married. They haven’t spent a Christmas apart since then and this year will be no exception. Although his passing fills us with great sadness, knowing they have been reunited should give us some comfort.
In the 2011 interview below, George re-reads the letter that he wrote to his wife so many years before. Even 73 years later, his emotion proves just how much he really loved her.
Check out the video below and be sure to share it with your family and friends.
Watch George H.W. and Barbara Bush share their touching love l…
Watch George H.W. and Barbara Bush share their touching love letters on TODAY in 2011 (and try not to cry!).
Posted by Today Show on Saturday, December 1, 2018
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