Kristin & Connor
Wedding Party
Lauren Oda
Maid of Honor
Would you believe I've known her since the day she was born?? Well there's no secret that we grew up with totally different personalities, but there's no one I'd rather joke around with, eat Mexican food with, or watch musicals with! I didn't just choose her to be my MOH because she is my sister, but I know she's my #1 supporter and friend (plus, she was "subtly" dropping hints every chance she could)!! She even graduated early to help with wedding planning- or wait... maybe that was already planned before I got engaged... Either way, I'm so excited to share this special day with someone who always goes above and beyond for others! I'm thankful for the ways in which she inspires and teaches me to be more a patient and generous daughter of Christ!
Elena Inamine
Bridesmaid
My 1st memory of Elena was meeting her at Mt. Hermon Jr. High camp all those years ago! It's been an incredible blessing being able to share so many amazing memories as conferees every year after that and eventually as cabin leaders. She's constantly encouraging me and she inspires me to be a better friend and follower of Christ (except for when she makes me eat Pho...jk)! Some of my favorite memories include getting peer- pressured to go to Six Flags a couple of days after my wisdom teeth surgery, celebrating her engagement to Winston, going to Disneyland together, and teaming up with her to roast Winston and Connor (we win every time)! I know I can always count on her for encouragement, uncontrollable laughs, & sassy comebacks! I'm also STOKED & honored to be one of her bridesmaids!
Michelle Weidman
Bridesmaid
As soon as I saw the pure excitement in her eyes/heard her giggling on the morning of 11/27, I instantly knew Connor was going to propose that day!! Our friendship goes way back to middle school where we bonded over our dreaded Algebra class! Ever since then, we've spent a ton of time laughing together during school projects ( I can still remember the rap we made up in our high school psych class), vacationing to Washington DC (even though she thought we were going to Washington State all the way up to when we were on the flight), and celebrating/being a bridesmaid at her wedding (shoutout to Hans)!! I've been so blessed and inspired by her joy and strength in the Lord (and also by her physical strength- she would totally lap me during the mile run in middle school....)!
Lindsay Kobayashi
Bridesmaid
I knew I had to have her in my bridal party when I saw her beat Connor in a wall sit contest (I've been told she has been deemed the "Most Athletic" Kobayashi much to Connor's dismay)! I'm super appreciative of her always being welcoming and supportive of me even though she initially knew me only as "Lauren Oda's sister"! I'm so blessed that she is going to be my future sister-in-law! I've had the blessing of serving with her at Mt. Hermon through the past couple of years and it's been more and more apparent that she's a super funny, faithful, and just a chill person to spend time with! I'm looking forward to hearing more hilarious stories about her childhood (and even current stories about where she thinks the other parts of the moon go)!
Tracie Hara
Bridesmaid
I can't exactly remember when we "clicked" but ever since then, I've definitely cry-laughed with her more than I can count (enter her "Singing Italian Man" voice)! We've spent a ton of awesome time together sharing life together during college group, double dates, and serving as leaders at our church's youth group every week! Sometimes it's scary how similarly we think... we are constantly exchanging glances and are joking around non-stop (about literally everything)!! I'm SO thankful for our how our friendship has grown so much through the years and how much she's taught me about being a faithful, grateful, and gracious servant of Christ! I'm always blessed by her equal love of musicals, mid-week texts, prayers, and hilarious personality!
Amy Lay
Bridesmaid
If you ever hear someone talk about the "Kristin and Amy arm-wrestling bet," this is who they're referring to! Although we are jokingly considered "rivals," we can talk about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING for hours!! We also share a love for musicals, makeup, and Mt. Hermon (alliteration ftw)! Amy is always so friendly, supportive, and just plain silly! I'm blessed by her dedication to, love for, and service to the Lord in the way that she leads worship (she's a musical genius!!) and cares for others by her welcoming/positive attitude and awesome ability to follow-up with people so well! I look forward to many more years of singing together, ordering the same exact drink from Tastea every single time, and hearing about more of her hilarious nurse stories!
Kristen Lee
Bridesmaid
A true "test" of friendship is wanting to still hang out with each other after three separate road trips to northern CA together (for Mt. Hermon)! I can safely say that these are the moments with her that I treasure the MOST because of the deep conversations we have, the many snacks we stuff our faces with, and our karaoke sessions to our endless playlist of songs! Other than being my musical twin, we also love serving at our church's youth group and Mt. Hermon, planning/having sleepovers, and going to musicals together! Our friendship has only grown since meeting at a UCI Navigator's meeting when I first started college and I'm so blessed to know such a creative, nurturing, and honest friend who I can joke around with, go to Disneyland with, & play "Heads-up" with for hours..just us two!
Rebecca Chan
Bridesmaid
You know you're pretty much sisters when you CHOOSE to live together for all 4 years of college!! I remember meeting her at Mt. Hermon in high school and realizing that we were pretty much opposites- she was super thoughtful, a deep-thinker, and encouraging;) But each year that went by, we began learning more and more about each other, ourselves, and God and pretty much everyone who knew one of us, knew the other! Some of my favorite memories with her include breaking the news that she slept with her eyes open, getting into a debate on what "shoyu" meant, and carpooling/going EVERYWHERE together (church, Navs, Disneyland, Mt. Hermon, retreats, grocery store, living room, kitchen, the other side of our shared room, etc.)! She's been such an awesome light in my life & has taught me so much!
Chris Takei
Best Man
Living together for 4 years in college gets you very familiar with each other. We went to church together, served together, ate together, did pretty much most things together. We had a great bonding experience our first week of college. Chris is a missionary in Japan right now and it's awesome to hear about the work God has been doing there. Ask him about it at chriscros1000@yahoo.com!
Kiyoshi Lee
Groomsman
The man who is good at everything, but you never will see him do it. Kiyoshi has always gone out of his way to spend time blessing me. During college, he would take me out for dinner and never let me pay saying that I could "pay when I'm older than him..." so dumb.... But it really speaks to the generosity and the love Kiyoshi has for others although he may never say it.
Winston Chang
Groomsman
Solid man of God. Always has a heart for others and challenges me. We also make fun of each other all the time and roast our fiancees together. It can get pretty brutal. Winston always challenges me and we can be super real in talks about ministry, church, work, and our relationships.
Alex Chiang
Groomsman
Alex is always super excited to talk about God and has encouraged my faith since I met him my first year of college. I love quoting Arrested Development with him! Alex is our Youth Group Director and I have been so encouraged by his thoughts and leadership not just in youth ministry but his heart for God that permeates through everything he does.
Myles Kusumoto
Groomsman
Myles 'Midnite' Kusumoto's birthday is March 23rd and he LOVES the attention. I'm blessed to serve with him in Junior High ministry and see how he sacrifices for others. He also knows a lot about everything. Myles "subtly" tries to get me into things and he thinks I don't realize it. But to be honest, it's true. He made me get a knife, flashlight, 5.11 tactical pants, and he's trying to get me to buy a drone. He's not just a man, he's a man's man.
Brian Gee
Groomsman
Always an honor to serve with Captain BG. He's one of the most reliable dudes I know. And he's always down to talk sports! It's a huge blessing to have friends who are reliable. BG is the type of guy that says he'll be at dinner by 6 and arrives by 5 to wait for a table for us. He is a man of his word and I cannot appreciate that more.
Ryan Najima
Groomsman
The Captain. Naji is one of those guys who is good at everything and super humble. He always made time to hang with me and bless me during my time at UCI and afterward! He encourages me in my faith and is very conscientious of others. Naji understands situations very well and shows his compassion and love for others in the moments when they need it.
Nathan Wakamoto
Groomsman
Super athletics, good looking, genius, solid follower of Christ and an AWESOME friend. Our moms always remind us that we have been friends since we were born. That's not true because I was born first. It's been so great to hang with Nathan and be blessed by his friendship throughout the years. Nathan is the type of guy that can always make you laugh whether that's with jokes or his ridiculousness.