// When you know, you know//

Hershey, Pennsylvania native Robert Warren Felty was always a stand-out. His natural athleticism was especially praised, and he excelled at every sport in which he participated. His ability was most honored in swimming, and his Hershey High School team won the State Championships twice while he competed with them. He went on to swim for Penn State University and became Co-Captain of the team in his senior year. But the brawny kid had brains, too! He graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.

Rob moved to southern Alabama at the start of 2009 after accepting a chemical sales job with Ashland. In addition to making a great name for himself in the working world, he pursued and became an instant stud in the sport of triathlon. He racked up many titles and awards, including several first places in his age group, Florida Ironman finalist, and the overall winner of the 2010 Grandman sprint triathlon!



Along Rob’s ventures in triathlons, he met Darrel Williams, an incredible triathlete and runner. The two competitors hit it off instantly and became good friends.  

Darrel is married to Jenny Avent Williams, who happened to be in a certain someone’s carpool when they attended Christ the King Catholic School.

Alexi Eileen Vrabel was always described as a free spirit. Ever since she was a baby, she has been involved in the arts. While in high school at Bayside Academy, she shined in the Art Guild, AP Art class, and the National Art Honor Society. After her stint as a Photography Major at the Savannah College of Art & Design in Georgia, she returned home to put her artistic skills to work. Once she was hired to design costumes for her friends at Jitterbug Theatre Productions, she felt that she found her creative niche. In the down time between shows, she worked for her parents’ real estate company. When she wasn’t working, she could be found spending time with her dog, Káva.



In fact, it was at the dog park in 2009 that Alexi ran into Jenny, Darrel, and their dogs Foster & Annie. After much catching up, they parted ways. But for some unknown (yet lucky) reason, a year later in September 2010, Jenny and Darrel suggested a blind date with Alexi to a solitary Rob.

They weren’t exactly alike, but Alexi & Rob agreed to a date…if Jenny and Darrel came along…on October 3, 2010. Rob picked up Alexi from her apartment with red carnations in hand. The dorky gesture charmed Alexi, and the double-date at the Original Oyster House went exceedingly well. Alexi gave northerner Rob many points for trying oysters and alligator for the very first time ever — and not getting sick! After a hug, they agreed to go out again that week.

A few dates very quickly blossomed into much more, and after many milestones, Rob asked Alexi to marry him on the beach by their Fairhope, Alabama cottage on December 23, 2011. After joking about raising her rent price, he got down on one knee as Káva played in the sand and waves. Alexi barely let him get out, “Will you marry me?” before grabbing the ring straight of the box and saying yes. Rob laughed as she kept asking if what was happening was real.


A completely accurate reenactment. 

As of their engagement, Rob is now employed as a process engineer at the Hargrove firm in Mobile, Alabama, and is working towards earning his Professional Engineer certification. Alexi is now a freelance wardrobe consultant for TV and films, working most recently on two feature length films and seasons two and three of CMT’s reality dating show Sweet Home Alabama.

Alexi and Rob (and Káva, too!) are overjoyed to become a family, and they feel blessed to be able to share their happiness with you during their wedding celebration!