2024 - TESTIMONY. "Meteorologist, I asked for his hand in front of ... a tornado!"

Passionate about storms, an American meteorologist made his companion’s dream come true: to show her a tornado. And he took the opportunity to ask for her hand!

While most people who plan to propose their marriage hope for the sun as a backdrop, 29-year-old meteorologist Tom Bedard does not. In 2016, the young man met Raya Maday, 26, also a meteorologist, at an American Meteorological Society event in New Orleans. Love at first sight is immediate. A year later, they moved to Wichita, Kansas, where they had both just been hired by Accu Weather, a company that produces weather forecasts for the media.

Our two lovebirds have a lot in common, and in particular one very particular … “We are both passionate about tornadoes, even if we never had the chance to see one in real life “, says Raya. So when, in this year 2021, Tom decides to ask his darling in marriage, it is only natural that he considers doing it by realizing their common dream. But how do you know when and where a tornado is developing?

Tom had decided to ask Raya if the wind was there

“The Forecasting Center storms from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released a severe weather forecast for Colorado in mid-May for the weekend of May 29 and 30, with a tornado risk on the 31st. I had no difficulty convincing Raya to go with me to try to observe it “, explains our lover. In the night from Sunday to Monday, they therefore leave to join the vicinity of Colorado Springs, where the event is to take place.

In his pocket, Tom has an engagement ring and he’s not off the hook: he’s decided to ask the fateful question if and only if the weather conditions are right. “I was ready to face any weather-related situation. The only thing that worried me was not having a storm.”, says Tom. Fortunately, Mother Nature favors them, and within hours of arriving at their destination, a tornado appears on the horizon.

“We long for a tornado for our wedding”

“We were in an incredible natural landscape resembling a canyon when we saw the column of wind appear. I could not have asked for better scenery”, says Tom. “When the tornado hit the ground, so did his left knee”, remembers Raya, still very moved by this incredible surprise. “It’s a moment I’ll never forget”, remembers the one who threw herself in his arms, telling him “Yes”.

The couple, who has not yet set a date for the wedding, however already knows the place. “Somewhere in the middle of Tornado Alley (region covering several American states where tornadoes frequently occur, editor’s note). We really want another tornado for our wedding”, they assure. It remains to be seen whether the expression that associates rain with a happy marriage is also true for a windy union!

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2/12 –

Tom Bedard and Raya Maday
Windy marriage, happy marriage? It is all the happiness that we wish them.

3/12 –

Tom Bedard and Raya Maday
Tom waited for the tornado to hit the ground to make his request.

4/12 –

Tom Bedard and Raya Maday
Tom and Raya met at an American Meteorological Society event. Immediate love at first sight.

5/12 –

Tom Bedard and Raya Maday
Both fascinated by tornadoes, they had never seen one in real life. When Tom wanted to ask Raya for his hand, he thought it was an opportunity to experience one.