I can remember the first time I ever met Audra.

Bayfront Center. St. Petersburg, Fl. 1981

It was during the Feast of Tabernacles in St. Petersburg, FL, in October of 1981.  I was a skinny 15-year-old, and not what I would call a ladies’ man.  I think I was probably still terrified of the thought of talking to girls at that time.  She walked up to me and said that I looked like someone she knew.  We spent a lot of time together for the next 5 days.  We talked and laughed and began a good friendship.

 She lived in Miami, and I lived in Carrollton, GA, and after we went back to our own homes we continued to talk over the phone.  Every Saturday we would speak to each other. Back in those days you had to wait until the weekend to get the lower rates, and we would still have a $100 phone bill each month.  In the 80’s that was a lot of money for a 15-year-old, it was worth it because we both looked forward to our calls.

We went on like that for the next few years.  Talking every Saturday, visiting each other on occasion, and we would always spend the Feast of Tabernacles together.  She even came up to go to my Junior and Senior proms. Believe it or not, even after two proms, we didn’t have our first kiss until July 5th, 1985.  We had gone to see the Braves play the Mets on July 4th. We had left the game early because it was getting late and there were numerous rain delays. We ended up watching, at that time, the longest game in baseball history, in the living room at home. Near the end of that game, we had our first kiss. It was one of the happiest moments of my life.

Audra brought joy and happiness with her everywhere she went.  I loved every moment I spent with her.  But then, I think it was around 1987, we drifted apart, went our own separate ways and raised families of our own.

—- Clayton

Well, I think most people know our history, but let me fill in a few details. 

It was around October 15, 1981, we were at the Feast of Tabernacles in St. Pete, FL (this was a church convention, “WWCG”).  My girlfriend Janice and I were walking around the Bay Front Center, before church started.  We walked up to a guy, because he looked like someone I knew.  We said hello and the rest is history…

I lived in FL at the time and Clayton lived in GA.  That made it a little difficult for us to see each other so we would speak on Saturdays.  Keep in mind this is in the 80’s, and we had no cell phones at that time. I would look forward to our calls on Saturdays, when we would speak about numerous things, one of which was when we would be seeing each other again.  I knew Clayton was someone special shortly after we met. So much so, that I told him that he was my “Special Friend”.   

Over the years we communicated through our Saturday calls, and we would write letters to each other.  I have very fond memories of spending time in GA with Clayton and his family.  I remember being at both of his proms, Junior and Senior, for Central High School in Carrollton, GA.  I remember going to a few Mets vs. Braves games.  Especially the Mets vs. Braves game on July 4th, 1985.  We went to this game, left the ballpark after many rain delays, went home and watched the end of the game on TV.   This game went for 19 innings and ended around 4 a.m., on July 5th.  Just a quick note Mets won the game! This was a memorable time for the both of us!

We had big plans to be together but unfortunately that did not work out the way we were planning. We went our separate ways, both got married and had our kids.

We have just started in our 7th year back together again, and have created so many new memories. I’m looking forward to many more years of awesome memories with my “Special Friend”.

Clayton, you are truly one of a kind and although we don’t always agree, I so appreciate the fact that we communicate and get through things together. Love you bunches my Special Friend.”

—- Audra

The Bayfront Center was torn down and the Salvadore Dali Museum is now in it’s place. St. Petersburg, Fl. 2018.

It has been many years since we first met and now we are finally making it official. We hope that you can join us on December 7th., to help us celebrate our special day!