Today, I am celebrating eleven wonderful years as “Mrs. Terry Basham, II”. If I had been able to find a good price on a scanner, I would be showing you our wedding photos. Perhaps I can do that in the future.
Terry and I got married at nineteen years of age! I don’t think we drugged our parents to get them to agree to this, but maybe someone did…what were they thinking? I suppose they had the same faith that we did, that while life wasn’t easy, when you have the Lord and someone you’re deeply in love with, it will all be okay.
Terry was making $6 and some change per hour when we said “I do”. He was not able to get any vacation time because he was in the midst of an annual inventory at work. So, instead of going to Washington D.C. (we both love history), we went to a quaint resort in Heber Springs for a two day honeymoon. He sold his truck to get the money for a nice honeymoon, but when we realized that our tiny duplex didn’t have a refrigerator, we spent over half of it on that. I still have the fridge by the way, and it holds a special sentimental value to me. I sometimes look at it and imagine that it is a Hawaiian beach, or a cruise ship.
We didn’t have much money back then. We still don’t. Four children, eight moves, and hundreds of dollars of medical expenses (from having no medical insurance) have sucked away any hopes of financial prosperity.
Many folks would shake their heads at our “foolishness”, but they don’t understand. I have something which money could never buy. I have a husband who would give his very life for me. In fact, he does, everyday. Everyday he gives us his time, and time is the stuff of which life is made. Everyday he tells me and our children that he loves us, by being around us and doing things with us.
Shortly after we moved to Texas, my husband purchased some life insurance. He was fearful that he might go on to Heaven before me, leaving me with four children to raise and no money. I appreciated his wisdom and foresight.
The premium isn’t astronomical, but it’s a good portion of our money. Once, when things were tight, I asked him if we could let that policy laps to save money. He said, “Valerie, I’ll do whatever it takes to keep that policy. If I have to get second job, we’re keeping that insurance.”
I know, you’re thinking, “What’s the big deal?”
The “big deal” is love. My husband loves me enough to work a second job, not to buy a boat, or a deer lease, or a new truck – but to purchase life insurance for me and our children.

Today my husband wanted to take me to Hot Springs for an overnight stay, but financial constraints kept us from the trip. I was very disappointed because I had my focus wrong. I am thankful that the Lord shifted my focus and helped me see what really matters.

Terry, I love you with all that is in me. I’m so sorry I fail you – and you know I do- over and over! I let you down; I disappoint you. I wish I could be perfect, for the Lord and for you.
Thank you for loving me for over eleven years. I don’t want dinner at Olive Garden or a trip to Hot Springs. I just want you.