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August 20, 1957 · The first letter

It started with a letter.

Eight years. Four hundred and thirty-five letters. One love story, told in Bob's own words.

The first one traveled from York, Pennsylvania, to Fran in Andover, Massachusetts.

Read the first letter
Bob's first letter to Fran, dated August 20, 1957
Bob to Fran · York, Pennsylvania · August 20, 1957
Bob Zielsdorf logoAUG 1957
Envelope from Bob's first letter to Fran, postmarked York, Pennsylvania, August 20, 1957
YORK, PENNSYLVANIA → ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS

Behind a bush.

We met behind a bush, playing a kissing game at an eighth-grade graduation party. I was thirteen. She was fourteen, an older woman by three months.

Two weeks later, the first letter went from York, Pennsylvania to Andover, Massachusetts.

Bob Zielsdorf logoSEP 1957

Pen pals at fourteen.

In September, 1957, Fran and I, both now fourteen, started back to school. We had lots of living to do.

The early letters are school dances, football scores, and American Bandstand, reviewed weekly across 400 miles.

First scan page from 1957-08-27
Bob Zielsdorf logoSUMMER 1960

The accident.

For Fran, her first summer job, then a life-threatening accident, a major operation, weeks of hospitalization, and hours of time to reflect on what could have been.

A friend's little British sports car, a Massachusetts road, and a summer that could have ended the story before it began.

Bob Zielsdorf logoSEP 1961

Off to college.

In September, 1961, Fran and I left our homes and families to begin the next chapter of life at our chosen colleges.

Bob to Notre Dame. Fran to Lake Erie College. The letters kept coming.

First scan page from 1962-01-03
Bob Zielsdorf logoWINTER 1963

The frost.

In spite of our outward attempts at normalcy there was still frost on my relationship with Fran. To me that was uncomfortable and unsatisfying.

They dated other people. They kept writing anyway. Fran had set the rule back in 1957: it's fair and square to date someone else if your favorite friend is not handy.

First scan page from 1963-02-14
Bob Zielsdorf logoJAN 1964

An ocean between them.

Fran sailed January 3, 1964, for Europe aboard the SS France. Trans-Atlantic phone calls existed, but were far too expensive for us. Talking by phone was such a far-out concept that we never even discussed the possibility.

A semester in Spain, and the distance between them grew from 400 miles to 4,000. The letters crossed by sea.

First scan page from 1964-01-09
Bob Zielsdorf logoSUMMER 1964

The ring.

During my end-of-summer trip to Lake Winnipesaukee, Fran and I had begun to discuss our engagement ring. I of course knew nothing about such things, but equally naturally, Fran had been giving it a lot of thought.

Bob Zielsdorf logoWINTER 1965

Counting the days.

Fran began to deal with two major issues. Most important, at least in her estimation, was planning our wedding.

The wedding was set for June. The last letter in the archive is dated February 3, 1965.

First scan page from 1965-02-03
Bob Zielsdorf logoJUN 19 1965

BOB TO FRAN · FEBRUARY 3, 1965

Sealed with a kiss.

They say that every bride is beautiful, but Fran was radiant that day.

Saturday, June 19, 1965, St. Augustine's Church, Andover, Massachusetts. After that, there was no more distance to write across.

Read Bob's last letter in the archive
Fran Zielsdorf on her wedding day in 1965

The whole story, letter by letter, is in the book.

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