Sabrina B.

29-year-old Alexis Welch will soon become Mrs. Stoudemire — but who’s the girl behind the 8 1/2-carat ring? In an exclusive interview with The Post, she dishes about how they met, how he popped the question and her move to the Big Apple.

“We’re a cooking family. We had some good old-fashioned mac and cheese and greens. [And] he put sugar on his greens,” she says with a giggle. “It was his Southern roots shining through.”

The pair eventually went on to have three children (their first, Ar’e, was born in 2005) during their relationship.

In 2010, Stoudemire signed a lucrative contract with the Knicks and moved East, where he proceeded to dominate the hardwood — and the front row of fashion shows. This year, however, was marked by personal heartache for Stoudemire, whose brother was killed in a car accident in February — and a shaky season for the Knickerbockers that culminated in the forward punching a fire extinguisher and cutting up his hand.

During the tumultuous time, the pair were spotted together more frequently, and last month, Welch, clad in Michael Kors, accompanied the natty Stoudemire to the Met gala, where she admits her nerves almost got the better of her.

“Thank goodness, Amar’e is used to these events, so he makes me feel more comfortable,” says Welch. She was seated with Cameron Diaz and Stella McCartney, and met Diane von Furstenberg.

“We were standing close to Beyoncé, but I was too nervous to introduce myself. Everyone has a wish list of celebrities [to meet]. She’s on there. But now, her husband is the owner of the Nets, so there’s a little bit of a rivalry going on,” she jokes.

Little did she know that she was about to lose her status as “single lady” with a 8½-carat sparkler and surprise proposal in the City of Lights.

“I’m usually on top of everything, but he got me. We were going to France to visit Cognac [area],” says Welch, who describes a whirlwind trip of cognac tasting, plus a jaunt to Paris, where they stayed in the royal suite at Le Meurice Hotel Belle Etoile, went to the Louvre and took in a Kanye West and Jay-Z concert.

On their last night in the French capital, she says, “We went back [to the room], and there were rose petals leading to a balcony with a 365-degree view of Paris. We walked out to the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower.

“He had an acoustic-guitar player. He had a saxophonist. This is another side of Amar’e that people don’t get to see. I’m just getting teary-eyed talking about it.”

(pic of ring – click to enlarge)

Stoudemire, who hired a photographer to capture their trip, including the magical moment, tweeted a picture of the couple, adding, “When she said yes, it was surreal. I’m still floating.”

The duo flew home the next morning to tell their children, who are equally excited.

The kids are athletic, too.

“Our oldest daughter dances competitively and cheers for our son’s football team. Our son plays football and basketball. Our youngest is still figuring out her sports,” says Welch.

The couple are excited to raise city kids surrounded by museums and parks, saying the mini-Stoudemires love ice skating in Central Park and playing at Chelsea Piers.

Welch doesn’t anticipate deviating from her normal busy schedule of parenting, including reading her kids the “No, David!” series of children’s books and cooking healthy, mainly vegetarian meals.

“They are young, so they still enjoy being with us. So I’m going to enjoy every minute,” adds Welch.

She does plan on working with the Amar’e Stoudemire Foundation, which focuses on outreach to at-risk youth, adding, “I’ll take my time and only do things that make sense for our family.”

While the bulk of her friends are in Phoenix, Welch calls the Knicks’ wives and girlfriends a “nice group of women,” adding she seems to have the most in common with Tyson Chandler’s wife, Kimberly. “[Kimberly] has three small children as well, so I know we’ll probably hang out more when we get to the city.”

Next season, fans will see Amar’e’s amore courtside in skinny jeans, a blazer and heels. “I like classic pieces that can be worn with more trendy or vintage jewelry,” she says.

Her tastes are a little more elevated these days, counting Alexander McQueen and Calvin Klein among her favorite designers. But Welch hasn’t forgotten about the Montana jersey that brought the two together.

“We actually still have that jersey,” she says. “And I’m getting it framed for our house.”

(STORY CONTINUES…)
WRITTEN BY KIRSTEN FLEMING & FULL STORY HERE