Stephanie Rice's Exciting New Chapter: Engagement Announcement

Stephanie Rice's New Love Story

Former Olympic swimming champion Stephanie Rice will marry Pentecostal pastor Mark Lassey after the couple announced their engagement in the United Arab Emirates. The pair met seven months prior when a mutual friend suggested they would be compatible but, with Ms. Rice based in Dubai, they've lived on opposite sides of the globe throughout their romance.

A Deep Connection

From the start, there was a deep intentionality 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. Their first phone conversation made them feel like they were both meant to end up together.

• Mr. Lassey is a father of three sons and serves at Kingdom City, a global online church.
• He praised his future wife in July, stating that she makes everyone feel important.

Engagement Announcement

The couple confirmed their engagement on September 5 on social media, with a caption reading, here's to fresh starts and second chances. Yes to a lifetime with you. Ms. Rice expressed that she waited 36 years to find this type of love and emphasized their faith guiding them through their journey.

If there is one word that sums up how both of them feel right now, it's grateful.