Janika & Eric
Wedding Party
Julia Sullivan
Maid of Honor
I met Julia when she was born (LOL). We have been besties ever since, with a few sisterly punches to each other's face and boobs here and there. Jules is my best friend and has a way of providing comedic relief in every possible situation. I've said time and time again, she is the wittiest person I've ever met, and unless I meet Will Ferrell in this lifetime, I don't see that changing. She is fiercely loyal, and cares greatly about those she loves. She even gives me some of her Birch Box samples just because she's that nice. Her maid-of-honor speech may be the thing that I am looking the most forward to of this entire wedding day. Get ready.
Taylor Tariq
Bridesmaid
I met Taylor in 6th grade when we were both fighting over the same best friend (shout out to Brookie!). We have been huge presence's in each other's lives ever since. She sees the world in such a positive light and is able to view things from perspectives that make so much sense once you see them, but you would have never come up with on your own. And boy, does the girl have a way with words, I look forward to her birthday cards for 364 days each year. Taylor is a breath of fresh air, and someone that I know I can go to with any problem or celebration, alike. I felt so privileged to stand but her side and perform her wedding ceremony this past year, and cannot wait to have her by mine.
Laura Wallace
Bridesmaid
I met Laura (mahi) in eighth grade, which was far from a prime year for me. I had OCD and was obsessed with picking up trash off the ground, and she loved me anyway. We have traveled all over this globe, both together and separately. We both went into medicine. We lead such parallel, yet vastly different, lives. Laura is the most free-spirited and fiercely brave person I've known. She is incredibly present, always living in the moment and never giving into superficial distractions. She may take a week to get a hold of, but at least we know that Matt French is always reachable by phone. Laura is unlike any other human, and that is one of the many things that I so intensely admire about her.
Sarah Blackbourn
Bridesmaid
I met Sarah seven years ago when we both started working a physical therapy clinic the same week. We became fast friends and soul sisters, quickly discovering our mutual love for creating things. We started a craft company together, sold our goods and weekly farmer's markets, and used our earnings to travel the world. Such hippies. Sarah is undoubtedly one of the most genuinely caring people I have ever met, and I don't think she's ever had a bad thought or wish toward anyone. She is innately good and makes me want to be the same.
Kirit Gill
Best Man
Kirit and I met in Undergrad. He sat right across from my room, and we pretty much instantly hit it off through our shared love of Kid Cudi. Even though I pronounced his name wrong the first two weeks we wound up becoming very close, joining the same fraternity and finding ourselves in a lot of the same classes. We continued the theme of living with each other all 4 years, and I honestly couldn't have done it without him. I did quite a bit of maturing in undergrad and Kirit was there to make fun of me every step of the way. Even after we graduated he convinced me to apply to med school in California, so without him I never would have met Jani!
Alex Boyle
Groomsman
I've known Alex since before I can even remember. We were both huge nerds in elementary school and met each other in the zenith program which was basically honors classes for 8 year olds. From then on we would hang out almost every weekend throughout grade school. We would make dumb youtube videos, play musical comedy at open mics, make snow "art" among other things. I remember walking to school from his house countless times for practices, games, and just to talk. As far as I know, neither of us had any sort of plans to both end up on the West Coast while we were in high school, but I have to say it is super nice to have a little bit of home out here with me even if we're a couple hours away.
Zach Patterson
Groomsman
Zach was one of the first people I met at med school, and we instantly hit it off. We met the first day at the meet and greet. He gave me a ride home and introduced me to the world of old school west coast hip hop and craft beer. I had liked craft beer in the past, but Zach introduced me to a whole new world of barrel aged and sour beers that his definitely burned a hole in my wallet. Zach would always host beer and board game nights where we would get together after a rough week and drink and play games until early in the morning, which is one of my fondest memories of med school.
Akash Jindal
Groomsman
I met Akash shortly after starting med school. Akash introduced me to boardgames much like Zach introduced me to the world of beer. I didn't love every game Akash first mentioned, commonly described by myself as "losing simulators", but he hit it out of the park with 7 wonders. Akash being the basketball phenom that he is, and myself being the…mascot phenom we got to travel to Vegas together to play our rival medical schools' team. Staying close with classmates while you travel all over California is no easy task, but both Zach and Akash and myself have continued to stay close throughout which is something I really valued.
Murs Tariq
Officiant
It's a Tariq affair! Taylor's husband, Murs, will be officiating the ceremony for us. I've never met anyone who exudes such a presence the way Murs does, and couldn't be more thrilled to have him bind our souls for eternity! (that's meant to sound cheesy, don't fret) In addition, I can assure you that Murs will be the best dressed officiant you've ever laid eyes on.