Imagine you find an unopened letter from April 4, 1967. Who was it from? What did it say? Bruce Noonan found this from his father: “I realize that you and Gayle are getting serious about marriage, she’ll expect a ring, you will be starting medical school and have years of training ahead—marriage would put an enormous strain on your finances. I may have found a solution: a new kind of credit card came out called ‘MasterCard,’ which you can use to pay bills. If you complete the enclosed application, I will be a co-signer.” Bruce married another woman three years later in Seattle.

Jim Rooks wished for this: “Dear Jim, come back! We’ve decided to let you graduate on time after all. Looking forward to seeing you in June. Best wishes, Thad Seymour.”

George McIlrath found a love letter: “Hi Hon, wedding plans going well. Can’t wait to get to Hanover for our wedding, Vermont honeymoon, and then to attend your graduation as Mrs. George McIlrath. Rollins Chapel, here we come! Love, Diane. PS: I just dreamed that the ’67 news will feature our reunion pic one day.”

Michael Wilson: “My April 4 letter was from my grandmother, telling me how happy she was to be flying from Racine, Wisconsin, for the graduation of her pale-skinned grandson. I redoubled my blanket time outside to get a deep tan for the big day: My grandmother is in a photo with me sporting a deep-crimson face. It took decades before I finally stopped trying to tan. Today, my dermatologist drives a well-earned Lamborghini.”

Finally, John Magee opened one from 2009: “Dear John, I recently found your Berkshire ring tucked away in a closet and felt bad that I had never returned it to you. It seems like a hundred years ago that we knew each other in Ogunquit. I have lived in Rhode Island for the last 30 years with my husband and have two daughters and three granddaughters. I hope your life has been exactly as you wished—happy and successful.” John says, “It’s never over ’til it’s over!”

—Larry Langford, P.O. Box 71, Buckland, MA 01339; 1967damnotes@gmail.com