THE HOWELLS: A ROARING 1920S LOVE

Mary Brevard Alexander and Billy Shaw Howell grew up in Charlotte and exchanged daily love letters when travel created distance in their courtship. In these excerpts, Vard, as she was called by friends and family, writes to Billy about how much she misses him on a trip to St. Augustine, Fla., with her family. There’s a lighthearted teasing about his commitment as she picks up the pen throughout different dayparts, sometimes starting a letter at night and finishing it in the morning. The Howells were married in 1922.

17 Jan 22 Billy,

Of course I have no business writing twice in one day, but I miss you so I want to say good-night. … All I can say is now I love you better than everything and every body in the world. … If we had gobs of money this would be an ideal place for a honey moon except we can’t be waiting until next winter for ours, can we dear?

Goodnight, precious Vard

18 Jan 22 Billy,

I’m so utterly worn out tonight I can hardly push the ole pen, and so blue and homesick for you that I have no business attempting it, but I may not get a chance in the morning and perhaps you would be disappointed if I didn’t get the usual daily to you and it would kill me to disappoint you, so here goes. … I dream about you at night. Mother swears I snuggled my head down on her shoulder twice last night — Just so I don’t start talking in my sleep! If I have you, please say so! Forgive me, darlin’ but tonight fear has me — fear that when I get back, you won’t love me. … Billy, darlin’, I believe you’ll always love me just as I will always love you. Forgive me for letting the devil whisper.

Meanwhile, this is a kiss in passing - loveVard SP