ATLANTA — Two women first met online in 2009. Years later, a text would change their lives forever, becoming a beautiful love story.
In 2018, Tiana Clay and her wife, Lakisha Clay, who goes by "Clay," became legally married after their paths crossed in Atlanta.
Tiana explained that the two happened to meet on social media while discussing possibly developing a reality show one day.
“I was married already at the time; she was married, we were just friends," Tiana said.
She said the two didn’t communicate over the years, maybe a time or two here or there. It was a text that would shift the relationship.
A chance encounter
Clay said it was several years later when Tiana’s name would re-enter her life.
“I was going through a divorce, and my friends were trying to get me out of the house,” she explained.
Clay said they decided to go on a road trip from Nashville to Atlanta for a weekend getaway.
“I was going through my phone list, and I was like, 'Who do I know in Atlanta?'” Clay remembered.
As she was scrolling through her contacts, Tiana’s name popped up.
“I sent her a text message, and I said, 'Hey, this is Clay; I’m in Atlanta for the weekend. Do you or your wife know any places where I can hang out and meet people?'” she sent.
Little did Clay know the timing of this weekend's getaway.
Tiana laughed as she recalled the text, “I was like, 'Oh, I am single, too'."
'Never say never'
Tiana didn't think she would get married again, but little did she know that love was around the corner.
Tiana said the two met up and quickly realized there was a spark between them.
“From there, we’ve just been together, inseparable ever since," she said.
She remembers telling Clay that she didn't want to get married again.
However, as the saying goes, “Never say never.”
“She (Clay) made it so easy to love her, and I made it so hard for her to love me,” Tiana explained.
Both women admitted it took work and compromise.
“We balance each other out,” Tiana explained.
The two ultimately decided they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.
“I knew instantly she was going to be my wife,” Tiana said.
It didn't come without effort.
“Being married to somebody and loving somebody takes a lot of communication,” Clay said.
The two have been together for six years, but they said it takes work, and no relationship is without its challenges.
“If you’re willing to sacrifice and be who you are and allow your person to be who they are, that makes the marriage last a long time,” Clay said. "And you have to be friends. You have to enjoy handing out and waking up with that person every day.”
The couple hopes their story will inspire others to not give up on hope and to fight for what they believe in.
The two are a couple and co-hosts on a podcast talk show called "Molding the Clay." They are now relationship coaches for other same-sex couples, looking to create a love that lasts.