Many individuals show their love on Valentine’s Day with heartfelt cards handpicked for the one they adore, chocolates that melt in your mouth and some choose more lavish gifts professing their never-ending love. Jerry Basham of Owensboro however, isn’t the type to profess his love to wife Lois in any ordinary way.
“Ain’t many women have seen their name in lights. That makes an impression,” Jerry said. “You can’t just tell them you love them, you’ve got to show them.”
Since 1995, Jerry has been showing Lois his love with an intricate Valentine’s light display on their house located in the 900 block of Hill Ave.
“I put up Christmas lights for 25 years and I was out here taking the lights down when a neighbor came by and asked if I’d put up something for Valentine’s Day,” Jerry said, “That gave me the idea. I got up on the roof and made a heart out of lights and that’s how I got started.”
With what started as red C7 light bulbs has now caught spectators’ eyes for over two decades, but it’s Jerry’s relationship advice that will continue to live on for years. His advice is a simple message.
“Just be good to one another,” Jerry said. “Have respect for one another. Help each other all you can. None of us live forever.”
That advice is what he attributes to the couple claiming they have never had an argument as they celebrate 30 years together this year.
“She puts me first and I put her first,” Jerry said. “Love does funny things to people.”
The Bashams hope to inspire love and welcome passerbys. And, as if a public light display with her name written in a heart wasn’t enough for Lois, Jerry, in typical romantic fashion, has a surprise up his sleeve yet again this year.
“Valentine’s Day — she doesn’t know what she’s going to get yet, but I do,” Jerry said. “She’s expecting roses, but it’s a diamond. I think she’ll like this better than roses or candy, either one.”
