A Quiet Celebration in Tumultuous Times
On May 12, 1925, Otto Frank married Edith Holländer in Aachen, Germany. Exactly fourteen years later, on his 50th birthday and their wedding anniversary, Otto wrote a heartfelt letter to his wife that reveals the depth of his love and the harsh reality of their lives.
Otto, who admitted he didn’t like “celebrating” or “being celebrated,” confessed that his 50th birthday was a special occasion, particularly because it coincided with their anniversary. He wanted to celebrate “not loudly and in a big group but in our own little circle with each other.” This small, intimate wish speaks volumes about their relationship, a partnership built on a deep and private understanding.
The letter also acknowledges the immense pressure they were under. He noted that they were in a “difficult situation for so long” but that they should be happy because they were “all still healthy” and had “everything we need, for now.” This small, quiet phrase, “for now,” is a heartbreaking premonition of the terror to come.
Otto’s words are a testament to his character and his relationship with Edith. He spoke of avoiding “squabbles and petty conflicts,” a lesson that would become vital in the cramped space of the Secret Annex. He ended the letter by thanking Edith for her “love and care,” a profound expression of gratitude for a wife who had been his rock in a world that was slowly falling apart.
This letter is a beautiful testament to a love that was both deep and enduring, a love that would be tested by unimaginable circumstances but would never be broken.
