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8.2.60

My wonderful darling

This is probably the perfect time to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day because I've just
finished reading my other letter which we're waiting for me today and I'm so very overwhelmed
by my love for you. I think of them all (which I'll reread and answer tomorrow) one phrase that meant
the most was in the last letter "my heart has found its certainty" oh my love you see my Valentine
and so much more in fact my everything. I love you so completely and I miss you so much even
more as time goes on though I once thought the feeling would be greatest at first and at the end. Instead
it seems to grow each day so that by June 11 I might even have a "slight crush" (or rather you
might receive some when I get you in my arms!) I'm just bubbling over with low for you my
darling Annie my VALENTINE!!

The last day has been one of the nicest I've spent over here sweetheart. We arrived in lug and
about 3:30 pm and got directions to the Youth Hostel: " about a 10 minute walk from the station." We
started off all loaded down with bags and suitcases (MAC MJE Bridge me of course) and some 10
stops for directions and 45 minutes later we staggered in the door and you'll never guess what
the Lugane hostle is coded until march! So after a 15 minute rest in the directors rooms we loaded
up again and caught a bus this time back to the railroad station. And right across the street we
got rooms at a small hotel recommended by the hostel people. And here the good part of the day began
The lady who ran the hotel was very nice (spoke German a wonderful relief after 8 days of fumbling
Italian) and gave us the rooms for 5 marks each my comfortable and reasonable. After washing up
we got the name of the inexpensive restaurant not too far away and set out for a good dinner.
And it was really good 2 bowls of soup pork potatoes carrots bread ice cream and coffee for 3 DM (75 cents).

Well filled for the first time in ages we set out for a very short walk. IT was snowing lightly and a
little cold so we didn't want to say out long. And darling Lugano is one of the most beautiful
places in the world right out of the world of fairy tales. It lies on the several hills at one end of Lake
Lugano in the gorgeous lake county of Southern Switzerland (Hemmignway's Farewell to Arms is
out at Stresa and Locaeno very nearby). Its a small town atmosphere narrow streets sort of quaint
not a "city" at all. Indiscintaly beautiful in a clam natural not show-off way. We walked about
4 blocks from the restaurant down to the shore of the lanke bodies a deserted
"fishermen's wharf"Oh sweetheart it was so peaceful and still the small waves rippling on the beach
the snow misting lightly down into the lake. My love for you was so strong darling and I wanted
so much to hold you close to me just as I do now when I think back about it. Here is another place
to which we must return someday. We went back up the hill to the hotel and straight to bed at 8:30pm
for a good 10 hour sleep which we all need. The girls said today that they fond hot water bottles in
their beds just one more thoughtful gesture by the family who ran the hotel. This morning we went
back to the same restaurant for a good breakfast then loaded up and walked over to the station to
catch the 8:07 train back to Stuttgart. There were about 20 of our kids already on the train
mostly tired and sleepy after very little sleep in Florence Milan or even Rome on the previous night. The ride back was lovely especially for us wide awake and fresh ones with good
mountain county. The mountains rise suddenly from the valley with as foothills often
in sheer cliffs. Much like Catherdal on Mr Tallect but higher and real snow covered
peaks. We went pat many small villages along the railroad all looking quiet and
beautiful in the fresh snow and at the foot of such mountains. Really dramatic county
my love and just the kind you would like. My memories of last summer flooded back
to surround me and fill m once again with my constant longing for you and your presence.

We sweetheart its 9:15 and I'm going to shower shampoo and get a good night's
sleep. This coming week is a dog with midterms and papers to get done. So I hope I have
time to really write through it will do so anyways to hell with the studying! Im
an experienced bluffer and B>S>er anyways. Goodnight honey and sweet dreams.
I love you always and with all my heart!

Always your Valentine

Yours Geroge