Brandon and Marilyn arrived yesterday and we had a celebratory dinner. It was a lovely evening and we all retired well into the night.

In the morning, Marilyn helped me select a nice dress and we went to speak with a judge. He agreed to perform the ceremony, after we filled out some simple paperwork. Abe has not learned how to read and write, so a court clerk assisted him. It seems there was some confusion, Abe did not have a surname and when asked for one he noted that he is from Madison. The clerk took that as a name, and spelled it in a manner similar to a family he knew. We took our vows, and I became Mrs. Aaboukingon Matteson.

Afterward, the four of us went and had a nice day in town with discussed the future. A splendid time was had by all. We parted ways after supper, each returning to our homes. I am eager to put the troubles of the past couple months behind us and make a new life for ourselves.

Took morning constitutional by the river and was met with a most foul odor. Met with Old Tom, who reported that the river began clouding up with silt over-night and there was talk of many dead fish washing ashore downstream. It has become apparent that whatever curse that redman brought upon our community has not been absolved. We must finish this. Old Tom assures me he is working on a solution. I have pledged my support to whatever he can find.

Abe was feeling much better to-day. We have made a journey to the river every day and the time spent in the water seems to be doing him much good. I stay on shore, but the cold don't seem to bite him. Today, for my birth-day, he insisted on taking me somewhere more private, along the Allegheny. We​ left early to find a place he knew north of Pitsburg, where we could enjoy the water in peace. He surely knew this land well! Even covered in snow, it was magnificent. It looked like no one had been to that place since God Himself shaped it.

The water was still moving, despite the ice on the edges. Abe asked for my hand, and gently led me to the water. I told him I was hardly dressed for a swim, and anyway, there was no way I could handle freezing out here. He assured me there was nothing to fear, and I carefully kept to his side. Much to my surprise, we were not going into the water, but onto it! I felt like Peter himself, standing on that river as it ran away under me, and on memory of how that went for the good apostle I grabbed tight to Abe. He laughed, and led me to the middle of the river. He asked me to let go, just enough he could grab something. I was sore afraid, but slowly let go of all but his hand. He knelt down and put his free hand into the water, and when it emerged again it had a small pile of sand in it. As I watched, he clenched his hand around it, and when he opened it again, he was holding a most beautiful ring! He asked me to be his bride, to stay with him as long as we both should live!

​Well. After a stunt like that, I could hardly say no.

Marilyn,

​I have just returned from a most beautiful day out with Abe, and I would like to inform you that I have accepted an offer of marriage from him.

I understand that you may have concerns you would wish to speak with me about. You have expressed as much before. I would welcome a discussion with you when next you visit, but I would ask also that you support our decision. Brandon and yourself have been the only friends who have stood by us through everything, and I would be shattered to know something that brings such joy to me would mean the loss of your favor.

As such, I ask that you both come quickly. There is little reason for us to delay such a ceremony, as I need not wait for family that will not come or a reverend who will not perform the rite. The two of you will likely be our only witnesses, and we would be delighted to share the experience with you. I will tell you all about his proposal on your arrival.

Patiently yours,
​Joanna