Former Olympic swimming champion Stephanie Rice will marry Pentecostal pastor Mark Lassey after the couple announced their engagement in the United Arab Emirates.
"From the start, there was a deep intentionally between us, and because of the complexities of our lives, we wanted to keep these first few months between close family and friends and enjoy the wonder of falling in love," the gold medallist said.
She said their "first phone conversation made us feel like this was exactly where we were both meant to end up".
Mr Lassey, father of three sons, is a pastor at the global, online church Kingdom City.
He gushed about his future wife in July saying "she makes you feel like you are the most important person in the world. Not just me, anyone she meets".
Ms Rice said she had waited 36 years to find "this type of love".
"Living halfway across the world from each other in different time zones has had its challenges (thank god for zoom) but God has been so good and so present in every step of our journey, which gives us an unwavering faith that our future will be even more extraordinary through Him," she said.
"If there is one word that sums up how both of us feel right now, it's grateful."
Long-Distance Love
The couple's engagement came after a whirlwind romance, with Rice revealing that the two had been dating for only seven months. The couple met through a mutual friend in May, and despite living on opposite sides of the globe, they immediately felt a connection. Rice shared that their "first phone conversation made us feel like this was exactly where we were both meant to end up."
A Shared Faith
Despite the challenges of a long-distance relationship, Rice and Lassey have been able to stay connected through their shared faith and the use of technology, specifically Zoom. Rice expressed gratitude for the support of God in their journey, stating that "God has been so good and so present in every step of our journey, which gives us an unwavering faith that our future will be even more extraordinary through Him."
A New Chapter
Rice's engagement to Lassey marks a new chapter in her life. Rice has had a successful career in swimming, winning three gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She has also been involved in various other projects, including her work as a television personality and motivational speaker. Rice's relationship with Lassey appears to be a source of great happiness for her. "If there’s one word that sums up how both of us feel right now, it’s grateful." She has shared her excitement about the future, stating, "here’s to fresh starts and second chances … Yes to a lifetime with you." The couple have yet to reveal any details about their wedding plans or whether Rice will return to Australia to be with Lassey full-time.
A Heartfelt Announcement
The announcement of Rice and Lassey's engagement was met with overwhelming joy and support from fans and friends. The couple shared their news on Instagram, and fans were quick to congratulate them on their newfound happiness. One user wrote, "Such wonderful news! Congratulations!!!! God Bless you both & your future together." Another commented, "❤️❤️ aaww!! You radiate so much joy and happiness together 😍 this is the best, congratulations xx."
It's clear that Rice and Lassey are excited about their future together. Fans and friends are eagerly awaiting more details about their wedding plans and the next steps in their journey as a couple.
