Uh oh...
It appears that you're using a severely outdated version of Safari on Windows. Many features won't work correctly, and functionality can't be guaranteed. Please try viewing this website in Edge, Mozilla, Chrome, or another modern browser. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused!
Read More about this safari issue.
When Mildred McKnight sat down on the morning of July 23, 1944, to pen a letter to her “darling husband,” I imagine she never considered that her letter would become a headline story in the 2020s and a legacy of an almost 71-year-long marriage.
Photo by Goodwill Industries of Arkansas.
In 2021, Goodwill Industries of Arkansas posted a picture of a large metal box filled with handwritten love letters on their social media pages. The letters had (presumably accidentally) been donated at the Cabot Goodwill location. Workers were hoping to reconnect the letters with family and posted this message along with the pictures:
Photo by Goodwill Industries of Arkansas.
“We need your help solving one of the most romantic mysteries we’ve ever seen. We found hundreds of letters among some donations in Cabot. Not just any letters…. love letters written from a woman named Mildred in Olympia, Washington, to her husband, who was fighting in World War II. The letters are well organized by month, spanning from 1943-1944. None mentioned her husband’s name. They were all addressed to “My darling husband” and similar salutations. She wrote to him every day, and he wrote to her. Even during war, he kept these letters safe and in perfect condition. Can you help us?”
Photo by Goodwill Industries of Arkansas.
It didn’t take long for Mildred’s great-niece, Jesica Hunter of Little Rock, to see the post and recognize the family treasure, “I immediately knew who these letters belonged to. I had recalled hearing about them and seeing them as I grew up. I was always at their [Jim and Mildred McKnight’s] house. They were my favorite people. For as long as I can remember, the box of letters was always in their shed.” Hunter reclaimed the letters that had been accidentally donated to the Goodwill by another family member.
Photo by Goodwill Industries of Arkansas.
Like most young couples, Mildred and James “Jim” McKnight began their marriage filled with love, hope and excitement. They met in Little Rock, fell in love and married quickly. Jim was in the military and was sent to California and then Washington, where they began their life together. With World War II on the horizon, it wasn’t long until Jim was sent to France and Germany with the Army. It was during this time that the couple began to write letters to each other in earnest.
Many of the letters describe seemingly mundane things: daily errands, notes about the weather, updates about family and friends. But the magic came in the frequency. Each wrote letters daily, sending them as quickly as possible so the other would—hopefully—receive one every day they were apart. They loved each other so much, and the letters were a way to maintain a connection and continue to be a part of each other’s lives even though they were thousands of miles apart.
Photo of Jim and Mildred McKnight courtesy of Jesica Hunter.
Mildred and Jim were reunited and went on to have two children and several grandchildren. They also remained close with nieces and nephews and their children. They were married for over 70 years until Mildred died in 2003. Jim died in 2016 at the age of 103.
The letters are a testament to love and faithfulness, to a time when things were simultaneously simpler and more complicated than now. The speed and convenience of modern digital communication make it easy to keep in touch with our loved ones. A quick note: an emoji or a meme can be expressions of affection, but they lack the time and effort required to craft a letter by hand. It wasn’t all that long ago that handwritten letters were the only method of communication for many couples, and perhaps it should be a tradition that is revived.
Writing a love letter can be a beautiful way to connect with your spouse or significant other on a deeper level. In light of Valentine’s Day, here’s a blueprint you could follow to revive this special tradition:
- Start with a Loving Greeting: Address your spouse or significant other affectionately. Mildred often began with “My Darling Husband.” You might use a sweet nickname or simply “My Love” to set the tone.
- Recall Meaningful Moments: If you are together regularly, recalling daily events and the weather may not be necessary. Instead, reflect on a cherished memory or a specific time when you felt especially close to them. It could be a shared experience, a moment of laughter, or a time they supported you.
- Express Your Feelings: Share openly and sincerely how much your significant other means to you. What do you love most about them? What qualities make them special to you?
- Acknowledge Their Impact: Tell them how they’ve improved your life and express gratitude for their love, support and companionship.
- Look to the Future: Share your hopes and dreams for the future. Talk about what you’re excited to experience with them or goals you want to achieve as a couple.
- End with Affection: Close your letter with a reaffirmation of your love. You could use a romantic closing like “Forever yours” or “With all my heart” followed by your name.
Remember, the most important thing is to write from the heart and be genuine. Mildred likely hoped to keep communication open and help her husband feel connected to her and his home while deployed. In the same way, your significant other will appreciate the effort and sentiment behind your words.
Check out these stationery stores in Arkansas:
- Newton Pens – Arkansas Made, learn more here.
- Shindig Paperie – Fayetteville
- City Supply – Fayetteville
- The Social Type – Little Rock
- Paper Hearts – Little Rock
- By Invitation Only – Little Rock
Want to make your letter even more special? Have your letter postmarked at the post office in Romance, Arkansas.
We do the work.
You check your email.
Sign up for our weekly e-news.
Get stories sent straight to your inbox!
Like this story? Read more from Julie Kohl
Arkansas is home to many bird species, even through the winter. Birding...
Every time I drive to Little Rock, I cross the Arkansas River. It’s a...
The Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs is renowned for its grand...
Join the Conversation
Leave a Comment