Our story began on April 2, 2022, at a mutual friend’s birthday barbecue. Despite both being from neighboring towns—Josh from Madison and Caroline from Huntsville—and both attending Auburn University, their paths had never crossed until that day.

Caroline arrived with her dog, Oliver, and immediately caught Josh’s attention. Josh got his moment when he headed inside and found Caroline standing at the fridge. He took the opportunity to say hello, and that simple exchange turned into a conversation that neither of them expected would change the course of their lives.

They ended up sitting in the middle of the backyard for hours, deep in conversation, while Oliver sprinted wild laps around them. Josh was immediately drawn to Caroline’s quick wit, warmth, and how effortlessly the conversation flowed. Caroline loved Josh’s confidence and comfortable she felt with him, like she had known him her whole life.

Between rounds of cornhole (where Josh proudly dominated), they kept talking until Caroline had to leave suddenly for a wedding shower—without saying goodbye. Josh was left wondering if the spark had been one-sided. But on his way home from the party he saw Carolines Instagram story and decided to take a chance. He sent a message: “You’re just going to leave without saying goodbye?” And just like that, their story continued.

Their first date happened the very next Monday at I Love Sushi, and within a year, Caroline (and Oliver) officially moved in.

After nearly three-years of officially dating, Josh proposed to Caroline in front of her childhood church on April 5, 2025... three-years to the same weekend they met.

Now, they share a home, a life, and a very spoiled dog. What started as a chance encounter at a backyard barbecue has grown into something they couldn’t be more grateful for.