A little more about Amar’e Stoudemire’s fiance, Alexis Welch

When Amar’e Stoudemire popped the question last month – with an 8.5 carat ring- to his long time girlfriend, Alexis Welch, it was a surprise for her too. Welch and Stat met in October 2002 in Phoenix during his rookie year at an after party for a Nelly concert.

“Since we were both 19, they put us in a private room in the back of the club. He was wearing a Kansas City Chiefs Joe Montana jersey,” says Welch. “I’m originally from there, so we started talking about Montana when he played there.”

The conversation clicked, and it certainly didn’t hurt that he was 6-foot-11.

“I’ve always liked guys who were taller than me when I wear heels,” says Welch, who is 5-foot-10.

Their chemistry was instant — and the Florida-raised superstar fell into a comfortable relationship with the local girl, who came from a close-knit family with two sisters, an entrepreneur father and a mom who works in interior design.

Welch plans to continue being a stay home to their three children, daughters Ar’e, 6, and Assata, 4, and son Amar’e Jr., 5. 

The wedding will be in 2013, the couple hasn’t selected a date yet but Welch will move from the couples Florida home to New York in July.