A graduation, a wedding, a book: The lovely month of May!

Date published: 5/1/2005

IT ISN'T EVERY month a child graduates from college. Nor it is often a daughter gets married. Even less frequently, a family member has a book published. To have them all happening in one month is, well, exciting.

All right, I admit itit's also stressful. Next Saturday, our daughter Becky will walk across the stage at Christopher Newport University and receive her degree in psychology. Two weeks later, she gets married. Today, my first novel, "Bloody Point," is being released.

Forget graduation--I'm caught somewhere between sending out invitations to the wedding and mailing postcards encouraging people to buy my book. Or both. Frankly, I think a book signing at the wedding reception would be a novel idea, but Becky's being real stuffy about it. Nor has she taken advantage of the fact that amazon .com has a bridal registry.

But I am not bitter. No. I am, however, conspiring with her fiance, Chris. Although Becky has banned me from practicing my public-speaking skills at the wedding, Chris and I think a little toast by the mother of the bride at the reception wouldn't hurt anything, and if the words "plot" and "theme" get thrown in there, so be it. And did I mention there will be something available in the trunk of my car for $12.99, tax not included?

What's wrong with that? Anything goes at weddings these days, right? And Chris has a big family, most of whom will be in town and like to read. It's a convenience for them. That's what I'm thinking.

When it comes to story, though, I have to admit, Becky and Chris have a good one of their own. The first column I ever wrote for this newspaper was about Becky going to college. I wondered how she would handle her independence. Wisely, she hooked up with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Chris was on the coordinating team, and they knew each other in that context for a time before sparks began flying.

One spring, we began to hear the name "Chris" more and more in phone calls and e-mails. Becky developed a sudden interest in surfing and skateboarding. And when we went to the beach in the summer of 2003, Chris was invited to join us.

Date published: 5/1/2005