Caleb Madison
Kara Hoffman
Caleb Madison
Kara Hoffman
April 3, 2027
How We Met
For those who don't know our story: Caleb and I met in a very traditional way in 2022--Tinder! The most cringey dating app of the time. I thought his profile was a little goofy (it said he was a boo-boo bus driver), but he was cute in his picture. I swiped right, found out he swiped right too, and the conversation began! We met in person a few weeks after we met online and our first date was at Don Zapata's Mexican restaurant. Still my favorite Mexican restaurant! We ended up talking for hours about everything you could imagine. We found out we had a lot in common since we both worked in healthcare. We shared some of our best horror stories from work. Since that day, our relationship has grown into something beautiful. The past few years together have had its share up ups and downs (mostly ups) and we are so happy that we could share all those moments together. We cannot wait to make more memories as we spend the rest of our lives together.
Engagement Story
On my birthday, November 24, I climbed into the driver’s seat of my car, ready for a totally normal trip to my parents’ house—where I’d eat cake and pretend I didn’t know I was getting older. Caleb had met me at my apartment and got into the passenger seat. He handed me a cute little gift bag. Inside was a Pandora jewelry box (even though I was hoping for it to be an engagement ring, I knew that Caleb didn't get the ring at Pandora). It ended up being a beautiful gold necklace. I thought that was all that was in the bag when Caleb told me to look in the bottom, under the tissue paper... I reached in and pulled out a small wooden box that looked way too serious for a casual birthday. Etched on it were the words: “Will you marry me?” My brain: !!! My mouth: “YES.” (Immediately) We hugged across the center console—which, by the way, is not designed for romantic moments—so it was basically elbows and seatbelts everywhere. But it worked. It was intimate. It was just us. And that’s how my simple birthday drive turned into an engagement announcement, and how my car (Francine the Ford) became the most unexpectedly romantic location of 2025.
Schedule
Saturday, April 3, 2027
Wedding
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
9500 Mount Carmel Road, Stokesdale, NC 27357
Travel
We're working on gathering some recommendations for our out-of-towner guests. Stay tuned!
Registry
We'll post our registry here when we're finished building it. Thank you in advance!
Wedding Party
Kara Hoffman
Bride
Caleb Madison
Groom
Cara Shorter
Maid of Honor
Cara and I have been best friends since elementary school. She pronounces her name "Car-ah." Throughout our lives we've been called each other's names and at this point we both answer to Kara or Cara. One time our teacher switched our names for a whole school year and gave us the wrong grades!
Danielle Adams
Bridesmaid
Danielle and I met when we were about 1 year old, thanks to our parents! We grew up together as neighbors and have remained close ever since then. We've got quite a few stories from our younger days!
Jessie (Jess) Bakanic
Bridesmaid
Jess and I met in 2016 on a roommate-matching website as we were both getting ready for college. It was like Tinder for roommates! We met for the first time in person just a few months before our move-in day. Our freshman year dorm experience at East Carolina University was just the start of our precious friendship. We continued to live together all throughout college. Even though Jess is from New York (and still lives there), we have maintained our friendship throughout the years.
Lea Callcott
Bridesmaid
Lea and I met our first day of nursing school at ECU. We had classes and clinical together and were both in the same boat--we had no idea what we were doing. Our friendship grew stronger throughout nursing school and we have been friends ever since. We even got jobs together after graduation!
Averie Stell
Bridesmaid
I met Averie at ECU through Jess's friend Lauren. Lauren and Averie were roommates our freshman year. All 4 of us started hanging out and became great friends. I also found out Averie and Lauren were in the pre-nursing program like I was at the time! After countless hours of hanging out, studying together, and causing some trouble here and there, all 4 of us signed a lease and became roommates. Av and I were the night owls of the group and pulled so many all-nighters together. After graduation, Averie and I have remained friends.
Lauren Holloway
Bridesmaid
Lauren (or Lo, as we call her) and I met through our mutual friend Jess. Jess and Lo were on ECU's equestrian team together. We started doing more and more things together--hanging out, studying, shopping...you name it! Lo and her roommate Averie signed an apartment lease with Jess and I, and we were roommates and best friends since then. After graduation, Lo helped me get over my fear of horses and let me ride her horse Dixie!
Gallery
Things To Do
We're making a list of our favorite activities and sights in the area. Check back soon.
FAQs
Hard at work on these... Talk soon.