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.
We liked him. He must have thought we were OK, too. Then, one day in April 2004, our younger daughter, Sarah, got home from school early and called me at work. "Mom! Mom!" she said breathlessly. "There'samessageon the machine"
When she finally calmed down enough to talk, she told me Chris had called, and he had a Question for us, and wanted to know if he could come up to meet with us that night. How exciting!
Trouble was, Chris had called us on his cell phone and the signal cut out just as he was leaving his number. But I hadn't written mystery-suspense books for nothing--a bit of sleuthing and we were in touch. Soon, he was on his way.
Two hours he drove through a dark and stormy night to meet my husband Larry and me I at the Massaponax Cracker Barrel. There, Chris shared with us his love for Becky, and he carefully outlined his plans for the next couple of years, including how he would support a wife. Did he have our permission, he wondered, to ask Becky to marry him?
Of course! Yes! We hugged, took pictures, and off he went, back down through the rain to Newport News.
Becky, meanwhile, didn't have a clue. And we were all sworn to secrecy, even her bubbling-over sister.
That was on a Monday. The next day, Chris picked up the ring. On Wednesday, he and Becky had planned a date. Frequently they would go to a house under construction near the college on the James River, walk out on the dock, and watch the sun set. This time, however, when Chris pulled up it was obvious the home was occupied. Characteristically, Becky balked. "Chris, no! We can't go out there," she exclaimed.
Of course, she didn't know he'd set this up with the homeowners in advance. And I'm not saying my child can be stubborn, but I imagine it took about a year's worth of persuasion for Chris to get Becky to go with him through that family's back yard. (That was good practice for marriage, Chris.)
Meanwhile, knowing his plan, I was up in Fredericksburg, praying as I watched the sun inch down to the horizon.
Somehow, Chris got my daughter down to the dock. And he had flowers staged there--which Becky thought was nice but not particularly significant. But then, as the orange sun kissed the water of the James, Chris got down on one knee, and asked Becky to be his wife.
Now how's that for romantic? This is a guy who started saving for an engagement ring before he even met his future wife because having a family is so important to him. This is a guy and a girl who've played it straight, talked it out, prayed it up, and moved forward into one of the 21st century's scariest propositions: marriage.
Like all good stories, theirs will have its ups and downs, its heroes and villains (each will play both parts), its conflicts and resolutions. But I'm guessing, given their commitment and their faith, their story will have a happy ending.
Graduation will be a proud moment for this mom and dad, as four years of hard work culminate in a degree for Becky. She's made the transition to young adulthood well (though her mom still misses her) and now she's stepping into the future with her young man.
The plans for the wedding are well in hand (thanks mostly to her--I'm still lost somewhere between "Chapter One" and "ohmigosh it's a book"). I'm sure it will be a beautiful event--one well worth writing about. Maybe in the sequel to "Bloody Point."
LINDA J. WHITE is an editorial writer and columnist for The Free Lance-Star.