Japari & Alan
Cultural Fusion
Nancy and Sergio Gonzalez
Padrinos de velacion
I've known Nancy for a long time at the University. Since then she has been a great friend and has shown me her unconditional support. It is a joy that she has found a man like Sergio as a husband, a great person, a great father and whom I also consider a great friend. It is an honor to have a couple like them as my guardians( padrinos de velación)
Asinda Sirignano aka Coddles
Matron of Honor
Asinda is my older sister and an all around fabulous person. Did I mention that she's my guru (lets use the urban dictionary version: a teacher & especially intellectual guide in matters of fundamental concern). When I landed "Hamerica," this girl picked me up 50 minutes after my flight! I was beginning to think that she forgot about me. Moments after I borrowed someones phone & called her, I see her speeding down in her black Elantra. She hugged me like she would never let me go. And she hasn't ever. I am her first child, but at the same time, her partner in crime. Life decisions don't happen unless they are ran through her. We've probably watched every episode of Harry Potter (please don't ask her to say "Harry Potter") from the beginning to the end & then from the end to the beginning.
Bryan Justo aka Baye
Best Man
My brother and certainly my best friend. Always complicit in our misdeeds, among many I can tell you about several citations from his high school that my mother never found out about, because I attended them. I appreciate him because he is the person who understands me best in life. He is a great human being, always patient and merciful to others.
Nubwa Scherbarth aka Nubsy
Bridesmaid
This is my twin sister, but shes 3 years, 7 months, and 24 days younger than me. I rocked my look solo for 1,332 days before I had to share it with another person. I remember walking into the hospital to meet the miracle baby my mother had just given birth to, and all I remember was people gasping and saying, "wow they look like twins." Many times, Nubwa and I would be walking in the in the market with my dad and hawkers would yell things like "See twins" or "Come and buy tomatoes here baban twins (hausa word for father of twins). Nubwa is a burst of energy. She is dauntless. There are many moments I've been proud of this girl, but one of my favorites was when she participated in the Miss UM Flint and won! In reality, she could have been both Mr. and Miss UM Flint by herself!
Adrián Yañez aka Faivel
Groomsman
I remember the time I met Adrian, in the 3rd semester of college, Raul Cano introduced us, from that day on we started mocking each other. A great friend since then, always cheerful and happy. Star goalkeeper in every team organized by the school mates. His unconditional friendship is appreciated, in every difficult moment he has been there to give the best advice.
Chizoba Onabanjo aka Chocomilo
Bridesmaid
I need more than 800 characters to BEGIN to describe my history with Choco. This friendship was established in grade 2 & will go on for a lifetime. The poor girl is stuck with me! Of the millions of stories Choco & I share, my favorite was when we went for an Igbo convention ATL. I'm not Igbo, but I went. We grabbed our luggage & left the airport. Upon arriving at the hotel, I begin to unpack & quickly realized that it was NOT my stuff in my suitcase. We freaked out for like 30 seconds before rushing back to the airport. I kept insisting that someone stole my cloths. Well, it turns out it wasn't my suitcase. Mine was lavender, the one I grabbed was purple. I don't think Choco has laughed that much in her life. She has been there for me through every season of my life: good, bad, & funny
Alexis Laurrabaquio aka Ale
Groomsman
Maybe he doesn't know it, but I can say I've known him since the day he was born, yes, in a way I saw him born in the hospital. I don't want to go into details, but not many people have the opportunity to live this experience. Probably until you become a parent. I appreciate Alexis because he is one of the cousins I lived with for a long time during my childhood. He is a great person, very eloquent and charismatic.
Jandá Hill aka Jandaaaa
Bridesmaid
Janda and I first met in Chem 150 in 2010. I sat behind her for a while and I always wondered what kind of person she was (#notstalker-ishatall) . I knew I had to talk to her when I saw her pull out the same nursing school acceptance letter that I had just received. A few weeks later, we were standing next to each other, taking the Nightingale Pledge but also quietly promising to be friends and have each others back. Janda is one of the most hardworking, most humble people I have had ever met. I can be the truest version of myself when I'm around her. We've laughed together, cried together, partied together, traveled together, and most importantly, been there for each other in some of the most important moments of our lives. I am blessed to call her my best friend and sister.
Heriju Gadzama aka Carnal #2
Groomsman
My brother from a different mother. In this matter of courtship, at least in Mexico there is the belief that living with the brothers of the brides is going to be difficult, in this case it was never like that, we made a connection from the beginning. Heriju is a great person, very human. I love him very much even if he supports to Chelsea and I do it for Arsenal.
Christina Rosia aka TINAs
Bridesmaid
Since the day Tina picked me up at the airport, she has become my anchor in Missouri. Tina has been there for me from day one (LITERALLY). One of my favorite memories with Tina was when I was apartment shopping, and a property manager lady was trying to cheat me (my naive trusting self had already given the lady a deposit...smh), and Tina didn't let that situation get worse. The lady kept trying to get me to sign the lease, (basically trying to score a goal like Lionel Messi against Nigeria), but Tina (aka Japari's Gianluigi Buffon, the greatest goalkeeper ever, trust me I googled it) was like "who do you think you are trying to take advantage of?" Anyways, we got the deposit back and I didn't end up in that apartment, I moved into the apartment building next door. Love you Tinas.
Michelange St. Jean aka Mike
Groomsman
Mike I can say I've known since the day of my job interview at INVENSITY, we've been great friends ever since. Always showing me the best non-Hispanic places to eat and have fun in the Detroit area. I appreciate him for being a great person and always reaching out to me in difficult situations on and off the job.
Nyah Sirignano
Flower Girl
Nyah is my one and only biological niece. I got to babysit her when she was a baby while I was in nursing school. Of her three aunties, I am the favorite - but please don't tell anyone because we don't want to hurt other people's feelings ;). This is going to be Nyah's second time as a flower girl. She's going to do an amazing job at it. When Nyah sets her mind to something, she is determined to be her best. She'll make sure everything is 100% perfect. Nyah is the rule-maker not the rule-breaker. She makes me proud!
Louisa Gonzalez Morales
Flower Girl
Louisa is a very cheerful and friendly child, there is no doubt that she has the same charisma as Nancy. Louisa is a very intelligent and creative little girl. Her strong personality makes her a delight to play with. As an only child, she is very independent and mature as she is around adults a lot of times. We are honored to have her as one of the children who will accompany us to the altar.
Moji Ogunyanwo
Madrina de las Copas
I vaguely remember when I met Moji in 2009. I believe we were on the 3rd floor of the UCEN. I was very intrigued by her bubbly personality and I knew I wanted to be friends with her. Fast forward 11 years later, Moji is still my big sister who gives me the best advise on life and all its complexities, and encourages me on my spiritual growth. She's taught me the importance of being patient and forgiving with people. I admire her a lot. Moji will be making the speech at the reception and will be providing the copas, or cups for the bride and groom. The copas are a set of decorate cups that become a part of our family heirloom. Moji is an empowering speaker and i can't wait to hear what she has to say.
Ramona Sauter
Madrina del lazo
I've known Ramona since the 8th grade at Hillcrest. She's my adventurer friend and has always encouraged me to explore and try new things. She's traveled to almost 20 different countries (I think). I've always admired Ramy's humility and ability to look introspectively and make her own judgments out of situations. Ramsy will be providing the Lasso for the ceremony. The Lasso is a large rosary, and is entwined (lassoed) around the couple during the ceremony. After the couple has exchanged their vows, the madrina places the rosary around the couple’s shoulders, starting with groom’s shoulder and then the bride’s shoulder, to form a figure eight shape. The “lassoing” act is a symbol of unifying the couple together in marriage for their entire lives. Ramsy, thank you for being a part of this
Obiaku Ohiaeri
Madrina de las Arras
THE Obaby and I have known each other since 8th grade in Hillcrest, but we actually didn't become friends until high school. She was too busy travelling back and forth from Lagos to Jos. Ironically, since graduating high school, I've met up with Obaby in more random cities than at either of our homes. The girl is always on the road, or rather, in the air. Obaby will be providing the Arras or 13 gold coins for the ceremony. The coins represents the 12 Apostles and Christ. The coins are kept in a small decorative box and are presented to the priest during the ceremony. The Priest blesses the coins and gives them to the groom who pours them from the box into the bride's cupped hands as a symbol of his unquestionable trust and love. The bride accepts the coins and pours them back into the box.
Lucie Amadou
Madrina de cojines
I knew of Lucie before I met Lucie. She is my pseudo big sister! I've been her little sister since my older sister and her have been friends. Our first sister experience was on Black Friday 2008. We were up from Thanksgiving dinner the night before and decided out of random to hit the stores. Over the years, I've realized that Lucie and I share a lot of similarities: we are night owls, we share the same TV show crushes, and we LOVE fantasy novel books. Lucie will be proving the cojines, or the kneeling pillows for the ceremony. The kneeling pillow is a special pillow for the couple. It not only provides comfort for the bride and groom while they kneel during the ceremony, but it also symbolizes the comfort and support that they will receive from friends and family during their marriage.