OUR STORY
Caroline and A.J.'s story began all the way back in June of 2015 when Caroline auditioned for colleges at the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska, and A.J. was a college student recruiting on behalf of Marquette University's theatre program. They circled each other for a week without meeting, and when the applications opened, Caroline applied to the theatre program at Marquette.
In January of 2016, A.J. was making calls to perspective students to make sure they had signed up for the theatre's annual Scholarship Day and Caroline just happened to be on his list. She was in a rehearsal at the time and missed his call, which means they have this gem of a voicemail to share with you all!
Caroline and A.J. finally met at Scholarship Day, and Caroline officially committed to attend Marquette, though she swears A.J. had nothing to do with that decision-making process.
Caroline and A.J. both returned to Lincoln for the International Thespian Festival the following year, and A.J. caught Caroline in her senior production of ZOMBIE PROM THE MUSICAL. The show was not nearly as memorable as Caroline shouting at A.J. from the bottom of a staircase as he stood on a landing, almost causing him to tumble down the stairs. It was going to take a bit more time for him to fall for her...
In August of 2016, A.J. entered his Junior year at Marquette and Caroline joined as a Freshman. They quickly became friends, but soon became something even closer: coworkers. They shared the stage and an office, growing closer together until their relationship turned romantic. They even returned to Lincoln, Nebraska, where it all began, to recruit as a team on behalf of the university.
While their exact first date remains a mystery - they can't remember whether they first shared a blanket at an outdoor indie theatre performance or shared pizza before a touring Broadway production of CHICAGO - the first months of their relationship were filled with long conversations about life and exploring the great city of Milwaukee that they now shared.
As the years went on, their love continued to grow. They shared many important milestones and many great meals. Their life together evolved, moving from a studio apartment on Marquette's campus to a one-bedroom apartment on Milwaukee's East Side during the pandemic. They continued to find joy in large and small ways during that time, adopting their beloved dog Boomer. Together, Caroline, A.J. and Boomer went on long, slow walks around the neighborhood and various state parks, and enjoyed lazy afternoon naps. They introduced Boomer to snow (coming from Texas, he never quite knew what to make of it) and kept him happy and comfortable through the final years of his life.
The year 2021 brought a lot of change for their little family, the biggest being their move across Milwaukee to their first home, lovingly christened "Bubbington Abbey" after their nickname for each other, "bub."
In 2023, Caroline joined A.J. on the admin team of Next Act Theatre and they became coworkers once more. Over the course of their relationship, they have enjoyed sharing not only a home, but also several offices and, frequently, the stage.
By 2025, A.J. knew it was past time to get down on one knee. A weekend away in Western Wisconsin culminated in a picnic at the Mirror Lake State Park amphitheater and, on stage (to an audience of no one), A.J. finally asked Caroline to marry him. Thank goodness no photographers were present, because she couldn't stop the happy tears from flowing. She was so delighted, she almost forgot to say "yes"!
Caroline and A.J. have enjoyed every minute of their nine years together so far and they are so thankful that you will be joining them in October for a celebration of their love story!
