Maandagavond 10 uur – Lieve Maaike—Monday evening 10 o'clock – Lieve Maaike

Kom je zo?

Will you come soon?

Tot spoedig ziens etc. Je Pieter

Monday evening 22:00 on May 12, 1986

Dear Maaike,

It's a bit later than I thought it would be, but I still want to tell you a few words, since yesterday. The North & South has ended, quite dramatically; I think it's neatly on the tape so you'll have to check it out in due course. I was up early this morning, woke up a few times but still slept well. How does my girl sleep in Horst (or Melderslo)? You're also missing something. Today I had a long phone conversation with Bob, I offered my condolences for his mother (who was only 67). We couldn't agree on the computers on the various farms; the discussion will continue on Friday, May 23. 

Oh yes, yesterday I asked Jeannette at the tennis lesson if the books had done anything for Jack. She said "well" as if she had had three turns in a row. Jack is already feeling much better apparently. I was home nice and early today and so I was able to paint the garage doors (until just now). I've almost paralyzed myself, never knew that such a piece of a door also has so many sides. I'm proud of it now, I think it's neat. 

As soon as I have a camera going again, I will take a few pictures of it; also for Harry, after all, it is also for a large part his work. Was he happy with the lens, let's just say that he is now equipped better than I am. I hope I get my lens back soon and that it is okay again. The cats (of the neighbors) don't know what to do with the situation yet, they are crying in front of the door. Later, when I was painting, they were almost in my neck. Saartje is still walking around. 

We still don't have any rain although it is a bit threatening and the sky is a bit cloudy. It was a bit less hot today, but the salary still came, so we will manage it for a few more weeks. We live quite cheaply like this, every now and then a can of soup and and I'm neither spending it on dishwashing liquid. 

How was the surprise on Mother's Day, they certainly looked up. Did it work with the phone call (called Mom & Dad from Harry's for a long time and they thought I'd be homesick...). By the way, I'll have to ask Timmermans for a bigger car than the Simca Horizon; I have to pick up 3 + the luggage + me, that seems a bit tight to me. I'll give them a call tomorrow. And have you had a good time the past few days. I hope you enjoyed it, so really a few weeks of time for yourself and a bit of strolling around in Horst and the surrounding area. Jeannette asked if she had to do laundry for me but I told her that the manual was on the machine and that I would be fine. 

When you get this letter, I'm about to arrive there, because we have to go a day earlier. I can leave the suitcases at the airport in Atlanta, that's what I asked. And now it's time to go to bed, I do miss you, the house has become a bit empty without you, but that will soon change. Hello sweetheart, say hello to everyone and a very big hug from me + a firm kiss before going to sleep. Bye my dear Maaike who I love so much, 

Your Pieter 

See you soon etc.

FORUM at Mushroom Conference — Last Surviving Pioneers | my post about Pieter's Open Forum role

Pieter in his Burberry Tuxedo at Spawnmate Banquet

Lieve Maaike — Dear Maaike

Groetjes van Saartje en Spooky de buurpoezen die bij ons zijn... nog niks!

Schat van me

Greetings from Saartje and Spooky, the neighbor kitties who are with us... nothing yet!

Sunday evening 8 PM.

Dear Maaike,

I don't know why, but now that I'm sitting here writing, the notes from the drawer keep popping up in my mind. That is how our romance started at the training college. I would slip a little note in the locked, top drawer which had a slit for doing so. Then I put a pencil across Pieter's desk—indicating he had mail! As I arrived half an hour early, this gave me a good time frame for doing so.

Perhaps your sweet note from yesterday also contributed to this. That note really did something to me, to get someone to say that she loves you very much.

Of course I've known that for some time, but I'm not used to something like that being confessed so spontaneously. I also found the note in the drawer and I thought that was sweet too, including Bram. Of course I miss you, but I still think it has its good sides to be separated for a few weeks; then it's not all so self–evident, then you know how to appreciate it even better. Glad you traveled so well, actually still a miracle that I drop you off on Friday evening and that you get another phone call the next day that my girl is safe and sound in Horst, The Netherlands.

By the way, I waited at the exit from the I–285 to the I–75 until the stately blue Jumbo came over. I saw the tail taxiing to the runway on the road (at 20:10) and then I thought; I can also wait until take-off. Because of the wind direction, everything went up in the air where they normally (usually) land. In my mind's eye, I saw you sitting in a row in a chair somewhere. That did affect me quite a bit! Now I'm writing with Brahms and Dvorak in the background. Worked hard yesterday and today. Yesterday morning I first completely did hoe the garden; nice and early, then it's still chilly. Then I turned the sprinklers on and started on the garage door. I had primed the inside of the glass openings first, and then I cut the panes, with a small special device, a kind of scratch knife ($4.50).

This went fine, it's a lot of hard work to get that stuff through (in the right place at least, I couldn't afford a break because I only had just enough. I put them in with a thin layer of white sealant and then the pre–painted slats over it. Then I repainted everything around the windows. When I went to get paint, the representative from Pittsburg Paint was just at W. Supply. He heard that I was discussing with John what color I want to take. He then went with me to look at our house and he thought that there was only one good combination for our house, namely. Colonial white with green. He advised me to do the garage door with that, then you could judge it on a larger level and if you like that color we can buy the rest, the number is registered. I'll try to get the door painted, at least the glass is neatly in there.

 It was disappointing for the cats, they jump against it a few times. I put the box on Kay's freezer and gave the pillow away with the garbage. Today I made the slats against it inside and also primed it. When I got to the church at 9:50 this morning, neatly dressed with cans and Sister Support, Mass had just ended; Apparently, the starting time had changed. No one noticed anything, I said I forgot to take the cans out of the car... The intention was there anyway. Then I first went to school, preparing the slides etc. for tomorrow. I had the paint off my fingers just in time to play tennis. Everybody asked where is Mariet. Father John knew exactly this morning, so he has a good memory. It was hot to play tennis, I lost my fluids today. (By the way, I'm now replenishing it, I had found a large bottle of apple juice, it's going to go empty, you can bet on that, belly or no belly.

It is now almost 21:00 and still 21°C.  In a moment the North and the South starts, I wanted to sit down for that. Darling from me, send warm greetings to everyone, lots of love to you and have a good time and I also love you so much that I didn't go to the moon with you but to America, and I have never regretted that. Goodbye sweetheart, your Pieter

Kitties that ADOPTED US link to post about Saartjes kittens born 3 days after Pieter posted his letter...

Liefste Pieter - Liefste Lieverd...Dearest Pieter - Dearest Sweetheart...

Kennelijk deze ergens neergelegd... op kussen of zo?

Dublin, May 9, 1986

Dearest Pieter,

Just a few goodbye scribbles for you.

Before my hair is dry... (I think my soul will stay wet for two weeks!).

It's pretty cruel to leave behind something so sweet.

The tears are rolling.

I love you so much, I can't miss you.

If you go for Campbell, I'm more accepting of that, but now it's like the family is more important than you.

That's not the case. Even if I had to go to the moon with you, I wouldn't miss a thing if only we were together.

Don't be lonely rascal!

Just enjoy our garden for me...

Eat all the blackberries, strawberries and radishes. 

I'm home too, only I can't touch and hug you.

See you soon!

Lots of love from your Maaike

Apparently this one was put down somewhere... on the pillow or something?

Dublin, 9 May 23:00

Dearest sweetheart,

Let's hear something, via a detour! Uncle Bo took care of that... So it's good to have some family here!

How was your first lonely weekend? Slept well? 

And what was the North & South like?

Does Saartje already have kittens?

Hopefully you won't die of hunger!

Is the group of the course fun?

Are you thinking about the garbage on Mondays and Thursdays?

Stupid to write ahead, but I know you're always happy with a scribble. As long as I can, I will always do so! You know my soul is dried onto this ink...

To take it with me is of no use to me, I'd rather leave it home with you. 

Hopefully the fuchsias inside won't die.

Well rascal, I don't know anything more.  In a few days you will receive real mail again!

Will you last that long?

Lots of love from your own little wifey!

A big kiss and see you soon.

All the best for my greatest treasure. I'm always with you, no matter what. Listen...

May 10, 1986 my arrival at brother Harry's after he'd picked me up at Schiphol Airport...

Letter from Diocese of Roermond, Limburg in The Netherlands

 Letter from Diocese Roermond

Roermond, 6 July, 1984

Dear Mr. Vedder,

Further to my letter of 8 June last, I can inform you that your former wife has not appealed against our judgment of 4 June 1984. 

This means that you are now once again free to enter into a church marriage.

To do so, you can go to the pastor in question in the normal way.

However, you must state your first marriage as well as this declaration of invalidity. 

You can submit this letter as evidence. 

My best wishes for your future also on behalf of my colleagues. 

Sincerely and kindest regards,

Drs. H.H. Notermans, vice-official

Letter from Diocese of Roermond, Limburg in The Netherlands

  Letter from Diocese Roermond

Roermond, 8 juni 1984

Dear Madam,

I am pleased to be able to inform you that the matrimonial proceedings which you initiated at the time have been brought to an end, and that they have come to an end for the better.

This means that the ecclesiastical court, after examining all the data, has come to the conclusion that your marriage to Mr. Franciscus J. van Maris was not a valid marriage.

This judgment is dated June 4, 1984.

Of course, this also means that you are now free to enter into a church marriage again. To do so, you can bring forward the application to the parish priest in the ordinary way. However, you must state your first marriage as well as this declaration of invalidity.

You can submit this letter as evidence.

My best wishes for your future, also on behalf of my colleagues.

Sincerely and kindest regards,

Drs. H.H. Notermans, vice-official

Extract of the Register of Marriage

 On November 8 we flew from Atlanta, Georgia/USA back to Amsterdam/The Netherlands for our civil wedding on November 10 at my hometown of Horst

KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS

Extract of the Register of Marriage

Extract from the registers of civil status Pieter

Extract from the registers of civil status Mariette

Marriage License

Gemeente Duiven Notification of Registration of Judgment

 Both of us immigrated to the USA from The Netherlands on August 29, 1983

The divorce got finalized on May 3, 1983 but Pieter's ex with whom he lived as brother and sister for 28 years, refused to sign any papers...

So we could NOT marry before we immigrated...

To: Master J.A. Boekelman in Venray, The Netherlands (Pieter's lawyer).

Notification of registration of judgment.

I hereby inform you that on 10 October 1983 the judgment of the District Court of Roermond for divorce was entered in the registers of civil status of that municipality in respect of P.J.C. Vedder: D.E.T. Jeurissen

Respectfully 

The civil registrar of Duiven

Married on July 16, 1955 and annulment from October 10, 1983

So, now we could finally make arrangements for our marriage and also start applying for the green card as we had to put this on hold...

We flew back from Atlanta to Amsterdam on November 8, 1983 for our Civil Wedding in my hometown.