Amare Stoudamire Pops The Question To The Mother Of His 3 Children, Alexis Welch

This past weekend while in Paris, NBA star Amare’ Stoudemire popped the big question to the mother of his three kids, Alexis Welch.

Stoudemire asked Welch for her hand in marriage while overlooking the Eiffel Tower lights outside of their penthouse at Le Meurice Hotel Belle Etoile Royal Suite at 11 p.m. local time. He surprised her with a dinner after they spent the day taking a private historical tour of Paris that included stops at the Louvre and other landmarks.

Stoudemire told PEOPLE.com from Paris:

“I have been planning my proposal for a while and overlooking the entire Paris skyline seemed like a perfect place. I am so happy she said ‘yes,’ and now we can continue to build our life together as husband and wife.”

Stoudemire designed the 8.5-carat radiant-cut ring, worth more than $1 million, with Los Angeles-based celebrity jeweler Shayan Afshar. The setting has 3.50 carats of flawless diamonds set in 18-carat white gold.

The couple met in 2002 after Stoudemire was drafted with the Phoenix Suns. They plan to wed in 2013.