When they get married, they are young, broke, and full of plans for their future. But how long does happiness last, and when does despair set in over the drudgery of everyday life? In letters filled with wishes, hopes, and fears, the life story of two lovers unfolds against the backdrop of the economic miracle and the spirit of change in the old Federal Republic. A novel that allows readers to experience firsthand how Germany and the Germans have changed in the second half of the 20th century.