Sam Champion on Engagement to Rubem Robierb: 'I Am So, So Lucky'
"GMA" weather anchor Sam Champion thanked everyone for the well wishes on his engagement to boyfriend Rubem Robierb.
"I am engaged," Champion said today on " Good Morning America." "The amazing response from folks all over the country was just incredible for us. I thank you."
Champion and Robierb announced Friday that they are engaged to be married. The couple met through mutual friends a few years ago in Miami, where Robierb lives. Born in Brazil, Robierb is a fine-arts photographer who shows his work in Miami, Atlanta, Santa Monica and New York.
"I have met the most wonderful, giving, loving, caring person. I am so, so lucky to have someone like this in my life," Champion said.
The two plan to wed later this year.
Ben Affleck, who appeared on "GMA" today talking about his new movie "Argo," said he was "inspired" by Champion's engagement news.
"I want to congratulate Sam," Affleck said. "It's to our shame that you can't get married in every state in the union, but one day I hope you will be able to. It's very exciting. I was very inspired…a moving, love story."
On "GMA" today, co-anchor Lara Spencer gushed about Robierb and all the wedding planning to get started on. Josh Elliott joked about his and George Stephanopoulos' roles as groomsmen: "Making George and I your best men, that's just terrific."
"He's a groomzilla already," Elliott joked about Champion.
Champion said he has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support - from social media to the streets of New York City. Robierb stood alongside off-camera at the "GMA" studio today as Champion talked about their happy news.
"I felt like we lived in a small town… I was born in Paducah, Kentucky, and to me that's exactly what it felt like. We walked out on the street and everyone was like, 'Hey, congratulations,'" Champion said. "Thank you for the tweets, and the Facebook and just coming up on the street and saying the most wonderful things."
"GMA" co-anchor Robin Roberts, who is on medical leave after her bone marrow transplant last month, tweeted in her congratulations: "You know how thrilled I am for you, @SamChampion and Rubem! Hope to be well enough to attend the wedding. Much love to you both."
Since Friday's engagement announcement, congratulations for Champion and Robierb have flooded Twitter with messages coming in from fans and fellow members of the ABC News family, including Diane Sawyer, George Stephanopoulos, ABC News' President Ben Sherwood, Dan Abrams, Bianna Golodryga and others.
