Nikki’s Version- Clay was vacationing in Florida with his sister, Lauren, over Memorial Day Weekend. He had a very strange (long, mushroom-like) haircut and spoke maybe five words the entire day. I thought he was quiet and shy and resorted to calling him “Kentucky”. Clay’s Version- During the one weird phase of growing my hair out for the first and only time in my life I met Nikki for the first time while on vacation. (It wasn’t actually a haircut it was just long and had no style, everyone made fun of it). I don’t remember talking to Nikki much when we first met, she was hosting a party at her house and I was mostly worried about my little sister getting hit on by older guys. I left that vacation not knowing I would be moving to Florida in 6 months.

Nikki’s Version- Clay comes back to Florida in December, this time permanently to take a promotion for work. Not being able to travel home so soon, he shows back up in Clearwater (this time with a normal, very handsome haircut). I finally get to see the funny and outgoing Clay- who even after several beers on Christmas Eve, volunteers to help me bake a holiday dessert. On Christmas morning I walk downstairs to Clay sitting in my living room by himself. I ask if he wants to join the Fitzgerald’s annual Christmas beach walk, half expecting him to say, “no thanks”. He answers with a quick “SURE” even though I’m certain he has no idea what he’s getting himself into. He’s greeted with counters full of homemade food and a brisk (almost jogging pace) walk to the tiki bars. He spends the entire day laughing, drinking rumrunners, and selfie-ing with my family and if it wasn’t for his smooth Southern accent, I’d have thought he was already one of us. Clay’s Version- Having dramatically improved my chances of interacting with women with my new back to the norm buzz cut, I accepted Nikki’s offer of hitting up the beach with her family for a walk and other Christmas festivities. I was just a random guy drinking at the beach, so I didn’t feel any pressure to try and impress Nikki’s family because I barely knew her at the time. Looking back, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into hanging out with the Fitzgeralds. Luckily, they were very welcoming and kept the drinks and laughs coming. I knew something was up when I saw her staring at me while playing a game of touch football on the beach. I did my best impersonation of a Baywatch lifeguard and that was all she wrote.