1950s: A prom, a wedding and a birthday
For Thomas, it's difficult to know that his brother is now going through the same thing he was only a few years ago. He had hoped that the war he fought would be it. That the world wold learn and improve, but instead here they were, at each other's throats again. "At least the US didn't wait to get involved this time," Anna tells him on the phone, though it's a poor comfort when that involvement means the possible loss of his brother.
As worried as he is of his brother, however, Thomas is still preoccupied with what is going on back home. Michael is growing so fast. He went from smiling to cooing to laughing, from rolling over to his back, to his stomach to sitting up. Every day something new happens, and Thomas wants to be there for all of it, though his long hours at the hospital keep him away for much of it. Instead it's Betty who gets to be there for most of it. In between cleaning, and cooking and knitting, Michael takes up all of her time. But Thomas tries to be there as much as he can.
She's also started to make friends with their new neighbors. To Thomas big surprise, one of them turned out to be his old commander from the war, who apparently married a Filipino woman and brought her back home with him. It warms his heart to know Brant is happy and now a father.
As worried as he is of his brother, however, Thomas is still preoccupied with what is going on back home. Michael is growing so fast. He went from smiling to cooing to laughing, from rolling over to his back, to his stomach to sitting up. Every day something new happens, and Thomas wants to be there for all of it, though his long hours at the hospital keep him away for much of it. Instead it's Betty who gets to be there for most of it. In between cleaning, and cooking and knitting, Michael takes up all of her time. But Thomas tries to be there as much as he can.
She's also started to make friends with their new neighbors. To Thomas big surprise, one of them turned out to be his old commander from the war, who apparently married a Filipino woman and brought her back home with him. It warms his heart to know Brant is happy and now a father.
For Barbara, her brother's sudden departure put a damper on her mood. But the prom she nagged so hard to go to is still getting her excited. On the day, Hazel shows up at their home to help her with her make up (Nash is so not pleased with that idea) and help her get into Grace's dress. Sometimes it's good to have sisters. Her best friend Sharon agrees. As she has no older ones, she's come over to get ready too.
The prom itself is magical. Everyone is there, and Doug is so sweet. They laugh with their friends, they dance close together and at the end of the night, Barbara gets her first ever kiss. Or rather, she takes it. But Doug is so much the gentleman that if she waited on him she'd wait forever. He is a bit surprised, but he doesn't seem to mind.
As spring arrives, Thomas and Betty start thinking about their backyard. At this point, it's just an empty space, but Thomas has ideas. "What about a pool?" he suggests? "As long as I get some gardening space," Betty replies. "And somewhere to entertain, place to hang laundry, and a splash pool for Michael when summer comes." Thomas agrees, and soon the work begins.
And it turns out quite well if you ask Thomas. As the heat returns to Oasis Springs, Thomas and Betty are both enjoying their outdoor space.
While Thomas and Betty are planning their garden, Grace is busy planning her wedding. There is so much going into it. From choosing a cake to choosing a dress, to making sure you fit into your dress and making sure the hairdresser doesn't mess up your hair...
And finally, the big day is here! The church is filled with people, the cake is ready and waiting and David is ready to walk down the isle with her. Grace is nervous, but also excited.
David has used his first salaries to buy a house on the same block as Thomas and Betty, and after the wedding the house is ready to be moved into. No need for a motel room for the night. David can't wait to get his hands on his new wife.
Unfortunately, there is no opportunity for them to go on a honeymoon right away, not with David being so new at his job. Instead they have to wait, and settle into ordinary life after marriage. While Grace works too, she is still the one expected to take care of the house. Cooking, cleaning, doing laundry. "Really, there is no need for you to work," David assures her. "I make enough money to support us." But Grace is stubborn, she does not just want to be a housewife. She likes her job. She likes having her own money more.
Back at Thomas and Betty's place, Michael is getting big. He's learnt how to sit and crawl and started to eat real food. And when his parents aren't doting on him, his grandmother is more than happy to come by to do so to get Betty some time to do other chores, like going to the laundromat.
"You should have Thomas give you a washing machine at the house," Grace tells her as she joins her sister-in-law. "Then you can use the time mom gives you for things you enjoy, rather than just laundry."
But Thomas has his own ideas of what to give Betty, and when she returns home she's met by the cutest little puppy! As a dog-lover, nothing could make Betty happier.
The prom itself is magical. Everyone is there, and Doug is so sweet. They laugh with their friends, they dance close together and at the end of the night, Barbara gets her first ever kiss. Or rather, she takes it. But Doug is so much the gentleman that if she waited on him she'd wait forever. He is a bit surprised, but he doesn't seem to mind.
As spring arrives, Thomas and Betty start thinking about their backyard. At this point, it's just an empty space, but Thomas has ideas. "What about a pool?" he suggests? "As long as I get some gardening space," Betty replies. "And somewhere to entertain, place to hang laundry, and a splash pool for Michael when summer comes." Thomas agrees, and soon the work begins.
And it turns out quite well if you ask Thomas. As the heat returns to Oasis Springs, Thomas and Betty are both enjoying their outdoor space.
While Thomas and Betty are planning their garden, Grace is busy planning her wedding. There is so much going into it. From choosing a cake to choosing a dress, to making sure you fit into your dress and making sure the hairdresser doesn't mess up your hair...
And finally, the big day is here! The church is filled with people, the cake is ready and waiting and David is ready to walk down the isle with her. Grace is nervous, but also excited.
David has used his first salaries to buy a house on the same block as Thomas and Betty, and after the wedding the house is ready to be moved into. No need for a motel room for the night. David can't wait to get his hands on his new wife.
Unfortunately, there is no opportunity for them to go on a honeymoon right away, not with David being so new at his job. Instead they have to wait, and settle into ordinary life after marriage. While Grace works too, she is still the one expected to take care of the house. Cooking, cleaning, doing laundry. "Really, there is no need for you to work," David assures her. "I make enough money to support us." But Grace is stubborn, she does not just want to be a housewife. She likes her job. She likes having her own money more.
Back at Thomas and Betty's place, Michael is getting big. He's learnt how to sit and crawl and started to eat real food. And when his parents aren't doting on him, his grandmother is more than happy to come by to do so to get Betty some time to do other chores, like going to the laundromat.
"You should have Thomas give you a washing machine at the house," Grace tells her as she joins her sister-in-law. "Then you can use the time mom gives you for things you enjoy, rather than just laundry."
But Thomas has his own ideas of what to give Betty, and when she returns home she's met by the cutest little puppy! As a dog-lover, nothing could make Betty happier.
Winston is an instant success with all the family. Micheal finds him funny and adorable and loves to watch him and pet him. He even sleeps on the floor next to him if he can get away with it.
As 1950 turns into 1951 it's time for Barbara to age up. As usual, Josephine gathers the family at their home, cooking dinner and preparing cake. "University next?" Grace asks, and Barbara nods, although Nash is muttering that he doesn't see the point. "You already have a beau. If there is anything to him, he'll just marry you." But in this Nash has no say, as Josephine thinks university is a great way of widening her marital options. And so as 1950 turns into 1951, Barbara moves out of the house and into a dorm room, ready to face the world.
As 1950 turns into 1951 it's time for Barbara to age up. As usual, Josephine gathers the family at their home, cooking dinner and preparing cake. "University next?" Grace asks, and Barbara nods, although Nash is muttering that he doesn't see the point. "You already have a beau. If there is anything to him, he'll just marry you." But in this Nash has no say, as Josephine thinks university is a great way of widening her marital options. And so as 1950 turns into 1951, Barbara moves out of the house and into a dorm room, ready to face the world.
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