Ryan Lochte is ready to settle down. The Olympic athlete took time out of his Dancing With The Stars rehearsals at the weekend to pop the question to girlfriend of nine months, Kayla Rae Reid. "Memories forever!!! #thelochtes #LA," Ryan, 32, captioned a snapsnot shared on Instagram on Sunday evening, showing him kissing his new fiancée as she shows off a beautiful diamond ring.
Kayla shared her own version of the sweet picture, writing alongside: "Speechless. Absolutely beautiful. So in love with YOU."
Ryan Lochte has proposed to Playboy model Kayla Rae Reid
The proposal might come as a surprise to fans. As recently as August, Ryan denied he was dating anyone during an interview on NBC, despite the fact Kayla had travelled to Rio to support him during the 2016 Summer Olympics. But in the past few weeks, the couple have been inseparable, with Kayla pictured in the audience at Dancing With The Stars and even moving in with the swimmer.
Ryan recently revealed that his Olympics scandal has only helped strengthen the pair's bond. "My family says, 'Don't you think it's a little too soon?' I'm like, 'Can you put a time on love? Can you?'" he told USA Today Sports. "When I realised this was 'the one' when she stuck behind me through this. She still loves me and she's still right there with me."
The couple have been dating for nine months
Ryan and Kayla first met in a nightclub in LA in January of this year, and started dating a few days later. "From the very first time I met her, everything has like clicked," Ryan shared. "That's why I know I can propose to her because everything that's happened and she has been keeping me so positive. She doesn't care about my fame. She doesn't care about anything. All she cares about is me being happy."