'One surprise I've witnessed him keep' - How Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes' love story culminated in a romantic rooftop engagement

Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes

'One surprise I've witnessed him keep' - How Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes' love story culminated in a romantic rooftop engagement

Funmilayo Fameso 12:36 - 26.03.2025

All to know about the sweet love story and engagement of Olympic champion Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes.

Paris Olympic sprint queen Gabby Thomas got engaged to her longtime partner Spencer McManes in a romantic rooftop proposal to the surprise of the tack icon.

Revealing to Vogue how the romantic proposal happened, Thomas said she found herself in a state of shock when she wandered up to the rooftop of the Airbnb they’d rented in Travis Heights for a staycation before her track season began.

Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes during a vacation in the Maldives

Spencer was standing there, surrounded by flowers, while her best friend and a photographer looked on. “That's when I realized, ‘Oh my gosh, this is happening,” she told Vogue. “Normally he’s very bad with surprises—and this was the one surprise I think I've ever witnessed him keep.”

The love story of Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes

The lovebirds officially started dating in October 2022 after a year of flirting with each other through Instagram DMs. Thomas' mutual friends in Austin, Texas had mentioned to her they might get along as both were collegiate athletes at an Ivy League university.

Gabby Thomas ran track for Harvard and Spencer McManes football for Yale

While Thomas ran track for Harvard University, McManes played football for Yale University. Interestingly, the two met after graduation when they were living in Austin, Texas.

Narrating their love story to Vogue, Thomas revealed how she looked him up on Instagram one night, and on the top of his profile, he had a saved highlight where he gave pizza reviews.

“I'm a huge fan of pizza myself - I was like, ‘This looks like really good quality content'," she said. After laughing at a couple of reels, she decided to throw him a follow. “Almost immediately - he DM'd me.”

Spencer confirming her account added: “I got the notification that I had a new follower. I was like, ‘That's crazy! Gabby Thomas?’’” he said. “I immediately DM'd her and asked, “What did I do to earn a follow?”

First Date

Thomas and Spencer's first date was at a speakeasy where they talked for over three hours. Their second - a Pizza date. “I fell in love with him despite the fact he went to Yale,” she said.

Spencer McManes' journey learning to be a supportive partner

“It was my first go around the sun learning more about track and how to be a good partner to a professional track athlete,” said Spencer, who is the founder of non-alcoholic seltzer brand Kaviva.

He learned the new adventure perfectly as he became present for most of her track competitions - a perfect example was after Thomas won 200m gold at the Paris Olympic Games, as cameras panned to her post-victory, she hugged family and friends in the stands - including Spencer, who wore a “Team Gabby” t-shirt as she ran into his open arms, commending her accomplishment.

Spencer McManes cheered Gabby Thomas from the stands at the Paris Olympic Games

The couple then acknowledged that the Olympics was an emotional period that drew them closer.

“We grew closer through it,” said Spencer. “Last season helped us solidify our relationship and work really well as a team through the ups and downs.”

Looking ahead to the future and Thomas' 2025 track season

Having had an iconic 2024 season that saw her win three gold medals (200m, 4x100m, and 4x400m) in Paris, Thomas will be gunning to make this year even more memorable in the arms of her fiance.

Gabby Thomas had record-breaking outing at the Paris Olympic Games

The ultimate goal will be to make the US team to the Tokyo World Championships in September, where she'll be aiming to win her first world individual world title, as well as add more in the relays.

She's also scheduled to race at Michael Johnson's inaugural Grand Slam Track League, and she'll have her goals on claiming the overall victory in the 200m and 400m events.

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