Le Ann – The Love of Her Life

Air Force living brings pressure on domestic dwelling. Momma and Daddy have received Bobby for who he is. They are not trying to change him into a person that he is not. He feels comfortable around my family. Admiration for us has led him to our home. My parents return the affection.

I have loved Bobby Olander since I was fourteen. I hung out with his two younger sisters, to get close to him. He thought of them as pests and included me by association. He tolerated us, but I could tell he loved us none the less.

If anyone attempted to bully us, he would stop, and discourage them. If needed, he would fight for us. My adoration for him increased through the years. What he did for me at the senior dance confirmed that he was my hero.

Bobby and my brother, Rusty, were the best of buddies. Both graduated from the University of Illinois at the same time. Rusty went into the Army and Bobby proceeded to the Air Force. I lost track of them. I was sorry to see them both leave.

Bobby came to my rescue when I required an escort to the senior dance. Later he defended me against my ex and the ruffians that were recruited. My love for the young Mister Olander blossomed.

He was my hero, my prince charming, and my rescuer. It was like I had won the lottery with him being stationed fifteen miles from my house. He happened to be staying in the family home across the hall from me. My heart was galloping at a mile a minute. I was floating among the clouds at warp speeds.

I attached myself to him in every activity he experienced. We became a team. The more we were together, the stronger our relationship grew. When he bought the rings, I knew I had landed the greatest reward obtainable. Building a life with him would be glorious.

He revealed to me about Kulabta. She must have been a fool to discard this man. He had loved her and she stomped on him. I believed him when he divulged that he had done no wrong, but she did not believe him.

He is an honorable man who does not tell lies. One could see pain verging on hate come upon him when he talked about her. It was evident that his confusion was bordering on defeat and plagued his esteem. Not being believed challenged his honor. My heart grieved for him.

Her shortcoming added to my increased love of him. I don't understand the letter she wrote. It seems like overkill, as if it was sent by a different person. If she ever loved him, she could not have justified mailing her letter. Maybe she was looking for an excuse to call a halt to their relationship. He will be mine until the end of time.

Mamma cried when Bobby asked for her and daddy's blessings. Daddy shook his hand, and imparted, "Thank you son! I know my little girl loves you. I realize your daddy has passed away, but if you want to, you can call me Dad." Bobby expressed, "I appreciate it Dad." My father was jovial as delighted tears floated down his face. It was like he was bordering on the biggest and best harvest ever.

Bobby went to church with me every Sunday. I was proud to be with him.

He was a man among men. We were in the young couples class taught by Marcy and Bill Bowman. The Sunday before Bobby had to report to Chanute, Marcy quizzed, "Have you set a date yet?"

"No, Bobby just asked for mamma and daddy's blessing two days ago. It will probably be in June."

"O my, that is just three months from now. It is barely enough time to get everything ready! You tell Martha I'll help with the arrangements."

"Yes maam, thank you. We just want a simple wedding." She imparted, "It will be the talk of the town."

Before we sat down in a pew most of the church members were congratulating us, saying good luck, or wishing us the best. Several ladies swarmed to mamma and volunteered to help anyway they could. All the single females between sixteen to twenty-four trotted over and hugged me, oohing and aahing.

In the newspaper the next day the headline proclaimed, "Local Baseball Hero to Marry. Lieutenant Robert (Bobby) Olander and Le Ann Olander will exchange wedding vows Saturday, June 11, 1960 at 1:30 PM at the Community Church of Jesus Christ. Both are graduates from Urbana High School, Urbana, Illinois.

Bobby was selected as most outstanding baseball player 1950 in Northern Illinois. The groom elect is a 1954 graduate of the University of Illinois in Aeronautical Engineering, Summa Cum Laude. He is stationed at Chanute Air Force Base. His parents were Robert and Helen Olander (deceased.) The bride elect will graduate this coming spring from the University of Illinois as an Art major. Her parents are Rufus and Martha Olander.

After reading the paper, I told mamma we lost our chance at having a quiet and simple wedding. Bobby pronounced, "There is no such thing as discreet and easy about our town. Rufus claimed with Marcy nothing is peaceful. The phone rang all day and evening. It was the storm without the calm.

Bobby reported to work at Chanute. In spite of the calls, mamma had supper ready for Bobby when he came home. I was glad he considered our home, his home.

He reported that George Roth was his boss. Bobby indicated that George had graduated with him from the U of I, but George had gone on and completed his final summer in the ROTC program at Lackland. Bobby added that several of the officers at Chanute were former fellow students with him at the University of Illinois. He was pleased. He felt comfortable with his colleagues.

Bobby asked me if George could be his best man at our wedding. I thought George sounded like a good choice. He was relieved. He revealed that George's wife was the former Linda Carver who had graduated from high school with me.

I pointed out that Linda was graduating from the nursing program at U of I this spring. I further denoted that she is currently working at the local hospital. I was thinking at how well Bobby adjusted to the idea of marriage.

Bobby hugged me and suggested that we could run off and elope. I looked at him with shock. He said that he was just kidding. After dinner he invited me, mamma and daddy for a ride to Chanute for a tour. He suggested this to get away from the phone calls. We accepted with a sigh of relief. He was full of pride to be presenting his place of work.

Chanute was more extensive than I remembered it. He explained the Base Commissary was like a large super market and the prices were much cheaper than any store in town. Momma's eyes bugged out, as he further commented that the Base Exchange sold a combination of clothing, hardware, and had radios, TVs, stereo record players and fans.

Martha asked if she could shop in there. Bobby said no, but I would be able to shop there after we are married. Momma said she would just have to go shopping with me as an advisor!

Bobby drove through base housing and stopped at a small house with three bedrooms. He said a married officer with his time and rank qualified for a house like this. Martha asked how much would it cost. Bobby claimed that it was part of the benefits of being in the Air Force. He gleamed as he shared the remunerations of military life.

He went on to say that he could live off base with me, and he would receive a stipend. The choice was ours. My eyes sparkled and a big smile widened. Rufus queried, "If you and Le Ann lived with Martha and me, the Air Force would pay you extra?" Bobby imparted, "That's about it. Le Ann and I need to make a decision." Rufus pronounced, "I love this country!"

Daddy was quiet and pensive. I knew what he was thinking. He wanted Bobby and me to live with them. Bobby and I had previously talked about this possibility. He had indicated that the pick was up to me. I told mom and dad that if Bobby and I stayed with them, we would need our privacy. Momma guaranteed that we would have all the space we needed. I felt squishy inside. The three people I love the best were going to be a real family.

Bobby noted that there was an ice cream shop on base. He suggested we stop for shakes or scoops. We did and there was joy in everyone's heart. Dad and Mom were jubilant that we were going to reside with them. My heart was euphoric. Bobby was content, because he loved Mom, Dad and me.

At Mom's encouragement, Bobby invited George and Linda to church on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1960. Mamma and Daddy stayed home from church, and fixed a Southern dinner including chicken and cornbread dressing, giblet gravy, whole cranberry sauce, baked ham, yams, English peas, corn on the cob, fruit salad, and apple pie. George told Bobby that he understood why Bobby lived off base. Dad said he didn't cook much, but was the official taster. Everyone gave him a knowing laugh.

George verbalized, "Bobby, how do you stay so thin with meals like these?" I interrupted and answered for him, "He runs a mile at five every morning, and he works out in FFF every afternoon. Additionally, he rates the third best fighter in the world, as well as saving my life when five drunk thugs tried to rape me. He knocked two of them out and the other three ran away." I felt proud bragging about my man. I wanted everyone to know how great he happens to be.