A couple's tornado proposal goes viral: How did it happen?
Bryce Shelton and Paige Berdomas' whirlwind romance has blown the internet away.
An enthralling photo of Shelton knelling on one knee holding out a ring toward a flabbergasted Berdomas has over 15 million views on X largely due to the massive twister behind them.
The two just met in person a year ago, but have agreed to spend the rest of their lives together after Shelton proposed to Berdomas in front of a South Dakota tornado on Saturday, June 28. Though the picture seemingly showcases an impromptu moment, Shelton actually spent months preparing for the breathtaking proposal.
"She has always told me that if I was gonna ask her to marry me, she wants it to be in front of a tornado," Nashville native Shelton told Paste BN Tuesday, July 1.
Shelton, a 24-year-old former firefighter EMT, and Berdomas, a 32-year-old nurse practitioner from southwestern Pennsylvania, have made a living as professional storm chasers. Both long passionate about weather, the pair have devoted their lives pursuing and filming tornadoes for a profit through YouTube content and media sales.
It was their shared passions that brought them together and in front of the vortex of rotating winds in a moment that marks the start of an everlasting relationship. And after a slate of negative comments called the stunt fake, alleging that AI was involved, Shelton explained exactly how the proposal came to be.
Shelton spent months seeking the 'best tornado'
Shelton's mission started with the ring, which his mother shipped from Pennsylvania to North Dakota where the couple were chasing storms. He pretended that he had to pick up contact lenses at a FedEx facility and successfully retrieved the jewelry.
"Once I got the ring in my possession, I had to figure out when is going to be the best day to do this. The best tornado," he specified.
He knew the tornado had to be in South Dakota, the pair's favorite state due its gorgeous landscape and daunting storms. And on June 28, when the pair were chasing a whirlwind in the Deuel County city of Clear Lake, Shelton knew it was time to ask the big question.
"I was completely in shock. I had no idea this was going to happen. I got out of the vehicle, and I looked at Bryce and I'm like, 'Oh my gosh, this is happening right now,'" said Berdomas, who was caught off guard during the proposal wearing Crocs and safety googles. "This was just to beautiful and picturesque and I seriously am still processing it."
Their friend, Brandon Copic, a storm reporter at Fox Weather, quickly arrived to congratulate the soon-to-be bride and groom in the city where a different tornado formed. Without hesitation, he photographed the couple and later posted the photo that took X by storm.
Storm chasing brought the pair together
Shelton and Berdomas met in person in June 2024 but were online friends a few years prior. They first began communicating through the storm chaser community.
After repeatedly missing each other at various tornado gatherings, the two decided to come face to face at a Casey's convenience store parking lot in Iowa. The two became best friends and storm chaser partners everyday since, rain or shine.
"Bryce is my absolute soul mate. I have never met anybody like Bryce," Berdomas said. "We're like the same person from the time we met, we've been together every day."
Shelton is beyond thrilled by the success of the proposal, which he said he was greatly anxious about, adding "not nervous that she wasn't going to say yes but nervous about the whole thing going right."
Now engaged, the two are looking ahead at their wedding, which Berdomas emphasized will hopefully have clear weather.
"No tornadoes for the wedding, I want to wear a pretty dress," she said.