Bryce Shelton and Paige Berdomas bonded online over their love for weather, meeting through the “weather Twittersphere” a few years ago.
After both went through breakups, they grew even closer and finally met in person last June to chase storms together.
Though they kept crossing paths while chasing storms in Iowa, it wasn’t until they officially met that sparks flew.
“We started making YouTube videos together. Our chasing style is similar and we like interacting with other people on YouTube,” Berdomas says.
Shelton says he knew “from the day I met her” he would propose during a storm chase. He kept the ring hidden for 18 weeks, waiting for the perfect moment. “I wanted to do it in South Dakota in front of a photogenic tornado… And it just worked out perfect,” he shares.
On June 28, as they tracked storms together, Berdomas had no idea what was coming. “It was just business as usual,” she says.
While watching a wall cloud and funnel form, Shelton suggested they take a picture. “I didn’t think anything of it,” Berdomas recalls, as they stepped into pouring rain with the tornado growing behind them.
That’s when Shelton dropped to one knee, catching Berdomas completely off guard. Despite being “more than nervous,” he nailed the proposal.
Later, they reunited with friend and fellow chaser Brandon Copic, who insisted they recreate the proposal shot in front of “the most beautiful tornado I’ve ever seen in my life,” as Berdomas describes it.
The couple has been overwhelmed by the warm support from the weather community.
“When we were done chasing… Other YouTubers saw our truck, jumped out and sprinted over to us to give us hugs,” Berdomas says. “Everyone was so excited for us. It was the sweetest thing.”
