Do you remember how I proposed to you? Oct 8, 1943 (Alex)
In this letter, written throughout the course of a day at training camp, Alex can’t sleep and tells Sylvia about how he went over, in minute detail, the two years … Continue reading
Fainting at Yom Kippur Services
Sylvia describes uncomfortable Yom Kippur services to Alex in 1943: I’ve returned from synagogue and feel a little dizzy right now. Going to the synagogue today was an interesting experience, … Continue reading
The Real Win: What Applying for a Fellowship Taught Me About My Book
Last Monday, an email landed in my inbox with a subject line that made my heart skip a beat: a deadline for an extremely competitive writing fellowship. As I read … Continue reading
What I’ve Learned about “BK In Love & War” from 2 Months on TikTok
When I joined TikTok just under 2 months ago, I thought I was just trying to get some proof for my book proposal that my idea had legs. I was … Continue reading
Confessions of a Late-Adopter
When I started this blog in <gasp> 2010 (yes, 15 years ago), the internet was a simpler place. Instagram didn’t exist. TikTok was just a clock sound. Facebook was still figuring out how … Continue reading
Reflections on Family, Loss, and Love
May 2025 I’ve been transcribing Alex and Sylvia’s letters (in chronological order, finally!) like a madwoman but I haven’t been posting them all as I process their story. Today, I’ve … Continue reading
The baby is getting little bit nicer – don’t worry, there’s hope for her yet. (Sadie to Alex) September 1943
This is a letter from Sadie, Sylvia’s sister, thanking him for a book he sent to her son Frankie. I love thinking of him as a doting uncle – his … Continue reading
A Fun Sailor’s Song – September 26, 1943 (Alex)
I’ve been transcribing letters at a rapid pace but deliquent about posting them here on the blog. I’m going to post a few in quick succession without a lot of … Continue reading
It is a funny thing how slowly we get to become sailors. (Alex) Sept 24, 1943
Whoops, in my posting I missed this letter so it is a few days earlier than the last couple posts. I really love this little section of the letter where … Continue reading
I cheered myself up by buying 2 pairs of stockings and a compact. (Sylvia) Sept 23, 1943
This is a letter I typed up but neglected to post earlier. In this short one, we get to hear Sylvia’s reaction to her brother’s letter a day or so … Continue reading
