Governor Crist engaged to be married

[El Fuego]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/state/epaper/2008/07/03/0703crist.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=0

Wedding bells to ring for Crist, fiancée

Thursday, July 03, 2008

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Charlie Crist is engaged.

The state's first bachelor governor in more than 35 years proposed Thursday to girlfriend Carole Rome on the balcony of his condo in St. Petersburg. The couple have been dating for nine months.



Florida Governor Charlie Crist and Carole Rome as they arrive for the Bloomberg After party in Washington. The governor is engaged to Rome after he popped the question to her Thursday, July 3rd at his St. Petersburg, Fla. apartment.

"Thank God she said yes," Crist said. "It's a very happy day."

Crist, 51, and Rome, 38, planned to celebrate with a dinner in St. Petersburg, where Crist grew up and where the couple are spending the Fourth of July weekend. They are planning a fall wedding.

It's the fifth engagement for Crist, whose only marriage in 1979 lasted six months. Crist's father told The Palm Beach Post in 2006 that he had been engaged three times since the divorce, twice to the same woman.

"They're both very happy," said Crist's former chief of staff, George LeMieux. "He's the happiest I've seen him since I've known him."

Rome, of New York, was divorced in the spring. She has two children, ages 11 and 9.

Rome's ex-husband, Todd, told The Palm Beach Post last month that Crist and Carole Rome were "good people."

"If they're in love, then they should do the right thing and be happy," he said.

Rome, who Crist met in September, owns Franco American Novelty Co., a 100-year-old family business.