Fate brought Cassandra and Johnny together and gave them the push to dive into a relationship. Despite their 42-year age gap, these two are madly in love. Here's everything we know about their unique story...
A Night to Remember
At a Wisconsin cafe, there was an open mic night that usually brought in just regulars. But, one fateful night in 2014, a new customer walked into the building, took to the stage, and absolutely wowed the crowd.
But, no one was more taken aback than Cassandra, a waitress at the cafe. Usually, it was the customers who belted their hearts out on the stage, but this night, Cass felt hers beating faster than normal. She was captivated by the unknown man and kept an eye on him from afar.
Meet Cassandra
Introducing Cassandra Kremer, the waitress who was clearing tables when the mystery man entered the cafe. After spending her shift analyzing the devilishly handsome grey-haired man, the 26-year-old realized that she was very attracted to him. And not just because of his good looks...
The man's voice was amazing. Cassandra was a singer herself and was shocked at his ability to belt out notes so perfectly. At some point in the evening, Kremer found out that the customer's name was Johnny. Butterflies fluttered in the young woman's stomach; she couldn't keep her eyes off of him and knew it was time to make a move.
Introducing Johnny
Meet Johnny Warpinski, the older customer that caught Cassandra's eye. Warpinski noticed her during the night as well and thought about how beautiful she was. But, the man knew he was much older than the 26-year-old and didn't allow himself to pay too much attention to the flirty eyes Cass was sending across the cafe.
Johnny, aged 68, was a father of two to a 30 and 33-year-old, both of whom were considerably older than Cassandra. Knowing this, Warpinski was hesitant to let his mind wander over the gorgeous lady. But he had a hard time keeping himself in check throughout the evening.
"I Think I Love You"
With Warpinski out of ear-shot, Kremer joked around with her coworkers during the performance sets. "Johnny came in, sang, and blew everyone away; his voice was amazing - honestly, I instantly fell in love," Cassandra told The Sun. "I told all my coworkers that he was my boyfriend," she confessed.
The 26-year-old continued to spill all of the tea, "As he was leaving, I caught him at the door and was like, 'Hi, I think I love you,' to which he replied, 'Thanks.'" Well, Cassandra had put all of her cards on the table, and Johnny seemingly did not react positively. Did she come on too strong?
Johnny Suppressed Feelings
Johnny didn't know how to keep his feelings about Cassandra in check. So, he avoided the place for two whole months while trying to talk himself out of having feelings for her. It wasn't until Warpinski met up with a friend and their pal to talk things over that his vision became clearer.
He went out for lunch with the pair and soon found out that his friend's buddy was actually a psychic medium! Johnny brought up the situation about the woman who confessed her love to him and was met with a surprising reply. Warpinski was told that he "Must return" to the cafe, but the new pal didn't explain why...
Was Cassandra Too Forward?
It had been several months since the man who caught Cassandra's eye came into the cafe. And the young waitress started to worry that she had been too forward at the open mic night and had ruined any chances of them getting to explore where time could've taken them.
"Johnny didn't come back into the coffee shop until two months later, and I literally dreamed about him almost every night and thought about him constantly," Cassandra reluctantly expressed. She was scared that the man who racked her mind didn't feel the same way.
He Took Their Advice
Cassandra was worried sick until one night changed everything. "He came back to the cafe, and we met again - from there, I guess the rest is history," she said. Johnny decided to follow the psychic's advice and returned to the building where Kremer worked.
They got to talking, and Johnny eventually mustered up the courage to ask Cassandra out on a date. To his surprise, her answer was yes! Kremer and Warpinski then went out a couple of times together, and soon, the pair were absolutely inseparable. Their connection was electric!
A 42-Year Age Gap
At the time, Cassandra was 26, and Johnny 68, meaning the now-couple had a 42-year age gap between them. This made Warpinski nervous, yet he didn't seem to steer Kremer away at all despite him being more than 2.5 times her age. "Our age difference is 42 years, but he acts like a teenager most of the time," Cass said
The excited girlfriend gushed, "Honestly, in the best ways, not in the worst ways." Thus, the pair began to strengthen their connection. They bonded over a shared love for music and performing together to help form "A solid foundation" for the new relationship. And Johnny and Cass had someone specific to thank for it all...
"It Wasn't Just Us Who Knew We Should Be Together"
"I love that a psychic medium was part of our love story because it's like, it wasn't just us who knew we should be together," Cassandra explained. "It felt like there were other forces at play that brought us together," she continued. Whether it was the universe or the psychic, the 26-year-old was thankful.
If there was one thing Cass knew for sure, it was that she believed in true love. And, with the way things played out, Kremer felt in a fairytale of her own! But, the new relationship impacted more people than just the love birds; they wanted to get their families on board too.
Cassandra's Family Approved
This came easier for Cassandra's family, who approved their daughter's relationship with Johnny nearly right away. This was incredible for Kremer, as her new man was older than the waitress's then 58-year-old dad and 56-year-old mom. But, when Warpinski met the rents, things went smoother than expected.
Cassandra and Johnny met up with her parents, and they began to build a comfortable relationship. The four of them went on walks together and prioritized making time for Warpinski to get to know who could potentially become in-laws. Things were going well, but the 68-year-old knew his family would take some convincing.
What Did Johnny's Family Think?
Johnny's two kids were hesitant about his new beau because they worried that he would get hurt. Nothing against Cassandra as a person; the grown children were just nervous about Warpinski getting into a relationship with a younger woman. But, as the pair got to know Cass, opinions changed.
It took them "A little longer to get used to the idea," but fast forward a bit of time, and they recognized how happy Johnny had become and how much he and Cassandra were "A wonderful couple" together. Finally, the pair had support from both sides and could fully focus on exploring their relationship.
They Kept Things Lighthearted
Although their families learned to understand the age gap relationship quite well, others expressed confusion when trying to figure out Cassandra and Johnny's association with one another. The couple's close friends got the picture, but strangers tended to start out of the loop.
"It doesn't bother me when people get confused; I'm just like, 'No, he's not my dad' - We often say it right off the bat because people are curious," Cassandra explained. But, while she liked to cut straight to the point with strangers, Johnny liked to pull peoples' legs a bit.
People Thought They Were Family
The couple grew not to mind it so much when people confused the nature of their relationship. After all, it was Kremer and Warpinski's romance, no one else's. Cass said, "It's fair for strangers to assume that we are father and daughter, and I don't take offense to it." That is, she didn't get hurt feelings when people didn't know.
Usually, "When it does happen, we just shrug it off; it doesn't bother us when that happens. I guess we just don't care, really," Cassandra explained. But, hurt feelings did come when strangers were judgemental and didn't bother to ask questions or outwardly showed their negative feelings in a way that impacted the couple.
Judgemental Looks
One night, Cassandra and Johnny went out dancing at a nightclub, and Kremer felt a look of disgust being aimed toward her from the end of the bar. "There was one lady who had a really big problem with it," she described. So, Cass decided to confront the woman face to face.
The situation played out: "Is there something that you would like to say? I can see you gagging at me across the bar," said Cassandra. "She was like, 'Well, I just think he's so old, and you're too young and pretty to be with him,'" Kremer recalled. It was frustrating, but the 26-year-old wasn't going to let it fly this time...
Cassandra Defended Her Love
"I told her, 'Well, thank you for your concern, but I am a grown woman! I can make my own decisions; I don't need you to tell me whatever your opinions are,'" Cass reminisced. But the stranger didn't seem to care and brushed Kremer off before she continued being very nasty to the couple.
"Most people are really nice," the pair reassured. Cassandra felt better after standing up for her relationship, and she tried very hard not to let it have a long-lasting effect on the romance. Luckily, their bond was focused on good vibes only, so they were able to move on quickly.
Virtual Onlookers Gave Support
"I think you two are friggin adorable," commented Instagram user @violizzle. And, "U guys are so stinkin cute," said @laurenfiesttt. Based on the comments section of Cassandra's Instagram, she and Johnny seemed to have an abundance of fans online! We can imagine these thoughtful statements overrode the few bad moments they had.
Whether or not all of the interactions they had with strangers and even with friends were rainbows and butterflies, there was one thing the pair thought for sure: Johnny and Cassandra would keep loving each other just the same no matter what people said, and it was that positivity that kept the couple strong. But that wasn't the only factor.
They Have A Lot in Common
While some might think it would be difficult for a couple with several decades between them to connect via common interest, Cassandra explained that they had more in common than people think. "We love nature, going for walks every day three times a day, hiking, spending time with our families, food, and listening to music," she shared.
"There's just so much that we have in common; I don't think I've ever felt I had this much in common with anyone else," the young woman gushed. "I'm closer to Johnny than even my peers or anyone, to be honest with you. It's just really nice to feel like you're seen, you know!" It was clear that the couple formed a special bond. And soon, the universe sent more signs of approval.
She Considers Herself Lucky
Given the fact that there could have been major snafus if her or Johnny's families didn't approve of their relationship, Cassandra felt beyond lucky to have the support she did. From all sides of the 26-year-old's social network, Cass felt the love. And, the universe proved it!
One day, Cassandra's luck appeared to be so abundant that she went out for a walk with Johnny and found not just a single 4-leaf-clover, but two! With a psychic sharing the universe's wishes being why Warpinski went back to the cafe in the first place, Kremer couldn't help but feel that this was yet another sign that they meant to be.
Cass Had a Green Thumb
Yet another indication that Cassandra was connected with nature was the fact that she was a lover of all plants! In fact, the young woman's Instagram page is full of naturistic photography, from trees to succulents, vines, flowers, and more. Eventually, Cass and her beau made a big move towards being one (or two) with nature.
"We are the proud owners of a cottage in northern Wisconsin!!" Cass gushed on social media. Now, the couple could enjoy getaways whenever they pleased, and Cassandra could be fully immersed in nature! Being a plant lover was just one way she still fit in with the 20-something crowd. But how did Johnny feel about some of their differences in hobbies?
She Still Enjoyed Her 20's
Another way Cassandra kept up with the youngin trends was by making time to meet up and hang out with her friends. They chatted over coffee, went shopping at the mall, gossiped, discussed boys, and everything else young millennials do in their free time.
And, both she and Johnny loved it! Not only did Kremer get to spend an equal amount of time between her pals and her honey, but Warpinski got to know his beau's friends as well! And, this only helped him and Cass gal grow closer. But this wasn't the only way the pair stayed on the same playing field...
They Worked Together
From activities to work, the couple did their best to raise each other up at every opportunity. As part of this effort, they began working together as therapeutic musicians for older adults. This also happened to be the duo's favorite clientele because the elderly crowd was often "Less judgmental" than younger generations.
Johnny explained, "Younger people and women under 40 are often judgmental, but the senior citizens are all for it; they love us! They ask, 'Are you guys married?' and a lot of the time mistakenly refer to her as my wife, which I'm all for." And, speaking of marriage...
Future Wedding Bells
At the time of this article's writing, a wedding is actually already in the works! In fact, Johnny proposed to Cassandra back in September 2020, and the happy couple now spends time planning a wedding in their downtime. They hope to tie the knot by 2023, surrounded by families and friends.
But, while the wedding talk has been full of happy conversation, Cass has been forced to face a harsh reality: She will likely outlive Johnny. While this isn't her favorite conversation to have, it hasn't slowed them down from living their best lives together and planning for the future.
Down the Line...
As most people would feel, Cassandra does not like to talk about the potential of losing her beloved fiancé, soon-to-be-husband, but has acknowledged that Johnny will probably pass away before she does. "It's important for us to talk about the future because that's the reality when you're in an age gap relationship," Kremer explained.
"We try to live in the moment, and I follow Johnny's mantra, 'Happiness is fleeting, so enjoy it while you have it,'" she continued. Thus, both people in this relationship have committed to focusing on happiness and doing what feels right for them with the time they are given. And so, the future planning continues!
A Family of Their Own
In fact, their talk of the future even includes starting a family! Cass has always wanted to be a mom, and now that she's engaged to the love of her life, that conversation has begun circulating between the two of them. But, with Johnny already having a couple of kids of his own, Kremer wasn't sure if he would be on board.
But thankfully, Johnny said "He would be willing to start over and have children with [Cassandra]...Whether that's biological children or having kids another way, [they] have spoken about it." This was thrilling news for Cass, as she got confirmation that her dreams of having little ones would someday be a reality!
Johnny Is Hesitant
Although Johnny said yes to having more children, he voiced concerns to his fiancé about being an older parent. Although Warpinski is pretty active, the 68-year-old is concerned that he might not be able to play with a young child and throw a baseball around or do "Normal father things" while growing older.
It has been hard for Cass to think about this part of things, but when Johnny said: "The really complicated part is that I feel really good right now and hopefully, I will feel really good for years to come," it gave her hope. Warpinski began putting in extra effort to maintain his youth...
"I'm Not Going to Croak It!"
Johnny continued to share more of his wisdom. "When you're a parent you have to be there for everybody and be able to do all the stuff that dads do...I don't think I'm gonna croak it in 10 years though and I try to be fit and healthy - but nobody knows what's planned for any of us."
While this concern might stay in the back of the 68-year-old's mind, Johnny also revealed that meeting Cassandra has not only helped him lean further into his passion for music but helped to increase his determination to "not let [himself] go." How about that for supportive relationships?! But soon, Kremer couldn't wait to take their romance to the next level...
Raising a Fur Baby
With the idea of children in the future swirling between the couple, Cassandra's excitement couldn't be contained. After all, the young woman wanted to be a mom for as long as she could remember. So, Kremer came up with an idea that would keep everyone happy and bring some extra love to their world.
She adopted this sweet pooch, Rhonda! Rhonda satisfied Cass's need for something little to snuggle and care for. Rhonda loves squirrels, long walks, and of course, her parents, Cassandra and Johnny. And, the pup is such a patient animal that she even let her human-mom dress her up as a taco for Halloween! This isn't the only big step the couple's taken together.
They Celebrate Their Milestones
Halloween, birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas...the duo has cherished celebrating many occasions and milestones together thus far. And, they seem to have the best fun doing it! From picking out their first Christmas tree together to shopping for matching costumes, Cass and Johnny are two peas in a pod!
When it comes to holidays, they spend time with both families and focus on all of the love that fills each room. So much so that the thought of their age gap seems to disappear completely. Talk about living in the moment! Cassandra and Johnny have so much fun together, and it's not just Kremer keeping Warpinski feeling young...
Keeping Each Other Young
Cassandra's heart is full of puppy love as well! No matter what they're doing, whether it's taking silly selfies, exploring new places, performing a gig, or landing a new work opportunity, these two keep each other feeling like kids. Maybe Johnny just a hair more...
Nevertheless, Cassandra and Johnny couldn't be happier about where they are in life. And, the couple believes that many other people can have the same kind of relationship, too, if they're willing to put aside biases and preconceived notions. In fact, Cass spoke more about the topic...
She Wants People to Give Age Gaps a Chance
With all of her experiences standing up for her and Johnny's relationship, Cassandra has grown to love their bond even more. Age gap and all! And, she even shared, "I wish more people were more open to the idea of being with someone who is older or different than themselves..."
"It's such an opportunity to grow and to learn new things from this person and to experience another person's point of view and their lifestyle - I just feel like it's a good thing," Cass concluded. While this love story continues to pan out, we're eagerly awaiting updates and wedding photos to come!