Terry Turney

I don't think I've ever done a post about my Father in Law. I was just thinking about him while listening to the song "He Didn't Have to Be" by Brad Paisley. Whenever I hear this song, or whenever it comes on Adam always says "This is my Dad's song." Although Kris and Terry had grown up around each other, they didn't hook up until after Terry's mission. By that time, Kris was a single mom with two boys (Adam and Austin). Terry married Kris and acquired two small boys (who would be joined by a third about ten months after they were married).

Terry is a great Dad. He legally adopted Adam Whiting when he was about five years old and has loved him and been a better dad to him than many biological fathers. One day when walking out of a movie Adam said randomly "One of the best things my mom ever did for me was marry my dad." As I've been thinking about Adam becoming a father I know that our Hannah will be so blessed because of her grandpa Terry and his presence in the life of little Adam.

Terry is Mr. Fix it. He can build or fix anything and has taught Adam to be very self reliant in that way. Whenever something is broken or Adam finds that it is time for a little home improvement, he always calls his dad.

A few months ago Terry decided that he was going to try to call his sons who had moved out on Sundays. Adam really enjoys talking to his Dad and Terry spends the conversation time trying to get to know his sons better. On my first birthday as Melissa Turney, Terry called and said that he never really called anyone on their birthday but decided he better start and he was going to start with his new daughter in law.

Anyway...I'm grateful for Terry. I have a great father in law. If you haven't heard the song mentioned above here are the lyrics:

When a single mom goes out on a date with somebody new
It always winds up feeling more like a job interview
My momma used to wonder if she'd ever meet someone
Who wouldn't find out about me and then turn around and run

I met the man I call my dad when I was five years old
He took my mom out to a movie and for once I got to go
A few months later I remember lying there in bed
I overheard him pop the question and prayed that she'd say yes

And then all of a sudden
Oh, it seemed so strange to me
How we went from something's missing
To a family
Lookin' back all I can say
About all the things he did for me
Is I hope I'm at least half the dad
That he didn't have to be

I met the girl that's now my wife about three years ago
We had the perfect marriage but we wanted somethin' more
Now here I stand surrounded by our family and friends
Crowded 'round the nursery window as they bring the baby in

And now all of a sudden
It seemed so strange to me
How we've gone from something's missing
To a family
Lookin' through the glass I think about the man
That's standin' next to me
And I hope I'm at least half the dad
That he didn't have to be

Lookin' back all I can say
About all the things he did for me
Is I hope I'm at least half the dad
That he didn't have to be

Yeah, I hope I'm at least half the dad
That he didn't have to be
Because he didn't have to be