Gallery

Shortly after Aaron and Bethany met in 2021. The NUTS (NU Trumpet Studio) masters students went as the Mystery Gang for Halloween!

The NUTS first year masters students' secondary Halloween costume - the Spice Girls!

NUTS first year masters students' first visit to The Bean

The first concert Aaron and Bethany played together (which they subbed in for day of because of a Covid outbreak at the school). Dec 2021

First Symphonic Wind Ensemble (SWE) concert together

NUTS "emo" themed party (Bethany did Aaron's makeup)

NUTS first year masters students spring break trip to Florida - March 2021!

"Dress up as someone else in the studio" NUTS party - Bethany goes as Aaron (who was out of town)

Bethany and Aaron both played on the intramural Bienen soccer team

After Bethany's first masters recital in May of 2021

First NUTS party of year 2 of their masters degrees (B and A still aren't dating yet)

NUTS MM students' Halloween costume year 2 - M&Ms

Halloween year 2 part 2 - Bethany was in charge of procuring these costumes, and when an order with two of the hats was cancelled last minute, Aaron sewed them for her.

We took advanced conducting class together right before we started dating

First brass ensemble concert together! It was after this concert in November 2022 that Aaron mustered up the courage to tell Bethany how he felt about her

First date - the Field Museum followed by Korean BBQ. Aaron moved to New Orleans shortly after

Bethany went to visit Aaron in New Orleans in March of 2023

Many Zoom calls were had from January-May of 2023 while Aaron was in NOLA

Aaron asks Bethany to Bienen Prom in May of 2023

Singing Aaron's barbershop mashup of Leaving on a Jet Plane and Bye Bye Bye for the second year masters students' final studio class, (though Aaron graduated after them due to his time in NOLA)

Bethany's graduation - Aaron meets her family for the first time while they're in town

Aaron visits Bethany's home in Houston for the first time in June of 2023. He and Bethany join her dad, Alan, in the church choir for Father's Day

Visiting the Chautaqua Institution in June of 2023 - Aaron spent 2 formative summers there. Bethany also visited Aaron's home in Syracuse for the first time, meeting all of his siblings

Bethany visits Aaron's family cottage in the Finger Lakes for the first time, one of his favorite places in the world. June 2023

Aaron visits Bethany's family lake in Kansas, one of her favorite places in the world. July 2023

Aaron came to visit B's family Kansas City for the first time over New Year's of 2023/24

Aaron and Bethany's roommate (and bridesmaid), Fiona, throw her a surprise 25th bday party. January 2024

Performing together on Aaron's final master's recital, on which he played all music he composed himself. March 2024

After Aaron's final masters recital

First pro orchestra gig together at the Caroga Lake Music Festival (August 2024)

Engagement! November 2024

One of the ladies at church has started taking our picture every time we're "looking sharp" at the service. Feb 2025

Engagement photos at the Chicago Cultural Center!