Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.metro From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Might of pen is proven in romance Date: Fri, 20 Nov 92 15:30:30 EST Message-ID: \SE B;METROPOLITAN;COMICS;DEAR ABBY \SS (WS) \HD Might of pen is proven in romance \BY Abigail Van Buren \CR UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE DEAR ABBY: When I told my friends I had a pen pal on the USS Midway during the Persian Gulf war, they smiled apprehensively and said, "Gee, that's nice." Little did they (or I) know at the time that what I once considered an innocent correspondence would turn into a full-fledged love affair. Yes, Abby, I, too, succumbed to an age-old romantic technique: writing letters. After 10 months and hundreds of cards, letters and love notes, we truly opened our hearts to each other and fell in love - sight unseen. When the war ended, Mike and I agreed to meet when he returned to the States. With butterflies in my stomach, I flew to Long Beach, Calif., to meet "my" sailor while he was on a four-day leave. One kiss, and the rest is history! For our second meeting (after writing to my mother to ask her for my hand in marriage), Mike flew to New York to put a diamond ring on my finger. For our third meeting, I flew to California again; we rented a car, drove to Las Vegas and were married in one of those romantic little chapels! Some people think I'm crazy. Some people think I'm lucky. Either way, Mike and I are very happy, and we thank God for the wonderful blessing of love. For those ladies and gents who claim, "All the good ones are taken," try reaching out a little, and never underestimate the power of words. I will cherish those letters forever. So, from my heart to yours, Abby, I thank you for encouraging me, as well as others, to write to "Any Serviceman." It was the best advice I've ever taken. - MRS. MICHAEL J. PAULI, BABYLON, N.Y. DEAR MRS. PAULI: While not everybody who has participated in Operation Dear Abby has managed to snatch the gold ring, many have found friendship, and it is a project in which people of all ages can participate. But letters such as yours are especially thrilling. May you and your husband enjoy many happy, healthy, successful years together. DEAR ABBY: Thank you for printing "Welcome to Holland." I am still crying. My son, Greg, was born with neurofibromatosis. He died in January after one of his tumors became cancerous. The thing I regret most is that I spent too much time wishing for Italy and not enough time enjoying Holland. Please thank Emily Pearl Kingsley for putting into words what many of us are not able to. Also, for those with children whose handicap may result in the child's death, please tell them about Compassionate Friends - the nationwide organization for parents of children who have died. It is helping me as it has helped others. The age of the child - or how he/she died - doesn't matter. - CONNIE ACTON, RICHMOND, CALIF. DEAR CONNIE: Please accept my sympathy on the loss of your precious son. And thank you for writing and wanting to share the resource of Compassionate Friends. (I have known about them for years.) For information about local support groups, write: Compassionate Friends, PO Box 3696, Oak Brook, Ill. 60522-3696. Planning a wedding? "How to Have a Lovely Wedding" will help. Send a business-sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $3.95 ($4.50 in Canada), to: Dear Abby, Wedding Booklet, PO Box 447, Mount Morris, Ill. 61054. (Postage is included.) This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM