Wedding Party
Justin Young
Officiant, Best Man
How we met: I met Justin as soon as he came out the womb. At that moment, I was scared I would lose his title as the favorite son, but as the years progressed, I knew that my title is unwavering. What I love about him: I love his sense of independence. He’s willing to live in roach infested apartments with a dash of mildew aroma instead of being in the comfort of our parents’ home. His humor always brings laughter to our family.
Byron Mak
Co-Best Man
How we met: I met Byron during 6th grade band practice when I accidentally/purposely smacked Byron upside the head with a music stand. After finding out we were both Cantonese, we started making fun of people in class in Chinese and have been best friends ever since. What I love about him: Simple. Byron’s my best friend. He’s always been my go to person to do activities or share experiences with. Through middle and high school, we’ve been attached to each other’s hip. We would go snowboarding, gaming until 4am, telling each other which NSFW videos to watch, and asking each other’s parents if we can sleep over.
Jacky Chow
Groomsman
How we met: We met during middle school and but technically have known each other since we were born. Shortly after getting to know Jacky, we found out that we both are Cantonese, share the exact same birth date, born in the same hospital, and as fate would have it, born in the operating room next to each other. What I love about him: Jacky is one of my most reliable friend. I can call him up for anything and he will be there, like helping me setting up a 300lb marble dining table within 20 mins of me calling him. Like he’s said before, he considers himself an introvert and because of that, he makes an effort to say yes any events or activities that he is invited to.
Thomas Nguyen
Groomsman
How we met: I met Thomas during dental school. He was a year below me and sat in the general vicinity as I did in our simulation lab. He came up to introduce himself to me, and me being terrible with remembering names, forgot it the very next day. Being embarrassed about forgetting, I never called him by his name whenever he said hi wherever we bumped into each other. It wasn’t until a year later that I relearned his name through a mutual friend and it’s now a running joke that we could’ve been friends for an extra year if I wasn’t such a pansy and just asked for his name. He always thought I was a dick because I never talked to him. What I love about him: With the 5 years I’ve known Thomas, he’s quickly become one of my dearest friends. We have talked, with no exaggeration, EVERYDAY in a group chat between his wife Nathalie, Ju, Aaron, and Isabel regarding dentistry, random BS, and we relentlessly roast one another with no boundaries. He's one of the biggest trolls you will ever meet.
Ju Wu
Groomsman
How we met: Ju was also in the class below me for dental school. Similar to Thomas, I also did not remember his name until the same mutual friend told me his name. It wasn’t until I started dating Kristeen that I hung out more with Ju, Thomas, and Aaron. What I love about him: Ju is a fellow gamer like me. During the 2 years that Kristeen was in Florida, Ju and I would be playing games like League of Legends and Call of Duty even though he’s dog shit at the games. Because of the time difference between me and Kristeen, I would actually talk to him more than I would talk to Kristeen during the week, and somehow I’m ok with that.
Aaron Kim
Groomsman
How we met: Just like Thomas and Ju, Aaron was the year after me for dental school. Kristeen always hung out with Aaron, Thomas, and Ju, and after getting more acquainted with the group through Kristeen, we’ve done many things together like Vegas, mammoth, numerous hangouts. It’s safe to say that had I not met Kristeen, I would not have Aaron, Thomas, or Ju as one of my core group of friends. What I love about him: Aaron’s also one of my most down friends. Distance doesn’t matter when it comes to hanging out. Whenever me or Kristeen hits him up to go to concerts, dinners, group hangouts, he is almost always there, even when he lived in Hemet, wherever tf that is…
Candace Sakamoto Le
Groomswoman
How we met: Where do I even start? Candace is my oldest friend that I have. We met when I was in 5th grade when my family went up north to catch abalone. At the time, my family had a Ford Expedition and I was climbing on the side of the car attempting to help my dad with packing. As I looked down, I see this funky looking four-eyed girl staring up at me horrified as I was dangling off the side of the car looking all stupid. She was holding a plate of rice with mini sausages and eggs to give to me. Little did I know that we would grow up together as best friends. What I love about her: We’ve gone through ugly hairstyles without...much judgement…, neopets, AIM, embarrassing email addresses (mostly hers), yearly Thanksgiving and Christmas get togethers, bike riding, snowboarding, foodie/boba runs, and many more. Even though we don’t hang out as much as we did growing up, every time we do hang out, it’s like no time has passed.
Richie Chu
Groomsman
How we met: Richie is Kristeen’s younger brother and well, now my favorite brother. Uhhh oops, I forgot this is viewable to the public. What I love about him: I love how adventurous my favorite brother is. He’s willing to travel across the world by himself without an itinerary. Something like that would make me feel very uneasy. He’s also very thoughtful and tried to record me asking his parents for Kristeen’s hand in marriage. Little did he know that video ended up being over 2 hours long because we were chatting about random things and his phone died, losing the video in the process.
Anh V Nguyen
Honors Committee
How we met: 2011 at UCLA but I say it started laying on a mattress on the floor of my old apartment looking up at the ceiling and connecting over our pasts. What I love about her: Her selflessness. If we were on a full bus and an old lady came on, Anh V would be the first to get up from her chair and offer her seat. She makes you feel special and loved, and I never have a doubt my happiness is a priority for her in our friendship. She always checks in with me, makes sure we don't go too long without quality time, and always makes an effort to celebrate my milestones. One day when we are old, she and I will be porch buddies with our ten cats she never asked for.
Joelene Nguyen
Honors Committee
How we met: Vietnamese Student Union Internship in 2010. What I love about her: Her considerate nature. Joe will remember any date you tell her and will check in. Whether you're traveling, hair and makeup trial, a birthday, weekend trip, or taking a test, she will ask you how it's going and for updates. She will make sure you will be taken are of at any event. In fact, even for a simple kbbq dinner at home, she will shop for every single item and only bring the best even lettuce specifically from Torrance. She has taught me family can be a choice, and she is my chosen sister.
Anh Q Nguyen
Honors Committee
How we met: We lived on the same dorm floor at UCLA 2010 and were interns for the Vitenamese Student Union. What I love about her: Her regalness. Eating a sandwich. Dancing. Sitting. Falling to the ground. This girl will do it with poise and elegance. It is a talent. She probably was a queen in her past life, and is still a QUEEN in this life. With her poise, comes a gentle nature. It feels warm and bright whenever I'm with her. She's my safe haven. I can always come to her for any advice or any concerns. She is a great listener. Practically my unpaid therapist. Thank you for traveling down from NorCal to visit me so often. I love you so much!
Linh Vu
Honors Committee
How we met: 2014 at a meeting. Vietnamese Medical Organization. She brought up an idea. I shot it down. She hated me. I hated her. And somehow now we can't live without each other. What I love about her: Her downness. Linh will make an effort to make sure we will always have an event planned to hang out and she's always DOWN for anything. Drinking, napping, big bear, club, hiking, ramen. Don't matter. Spending quality time is most important for her. Never has to be fancy or bougie. I never felt pressured to be anything but myself around Linh. We have done some fun and dumb stuff together, and I only expect more memories to come.
Sally Truong
Bridesmaid
How we met: She had no choice. I am her cousin. 😈. And I am grateful our parents had us grow up together. What I love about her: Her realness. This girl will tell it to you straight. I love her honesty and what you see is what you get. There's no BS. You don't come across honest people as often anymore. Growing up, I always looked up to her for her calm and cool demeanor. She is such as fun person to be around, to talk to, and to hang out with. We've been through some tough events as a family, but I only think it has made us closer and stronger. I feel like my most fashionable clothes came from Sally's gifts and it still does to this day. LOL.
Shayla Truong
Bridesmaid
How we met: I met Shayla when she was still in my aunt's belly. What I love about her: Her dedication to family. Shayla makes family a priority. I would say she's the glue. She always makes an effort to get the family together. She's my biggest cheerleader and my mini me. I can always count on her for supporting me through my biggest wins and toughest moments. Can't wait to watch her grow up and go through the big milestones I went through when I was her age.
Isabel Kuo
Bridesmaid
How we met: 2016 we started at USC dental school. One night after a social at the Delta Sigma Delta dental Fraternity, I had Isabel sleep on my couch because I wanted her to be safe. Though I barely knew her at that time, we clicked instantly and have been friends ever since. What I love about her: Her loyalty. Do not mess with her people. Ain't nobody fresher than her clique. She has her friends back no question. She will go to war for you if she has to. She's stood by me through the toughest times in dental school and I wouldn't have had a great of an experience or survived if it wasn't for Isabel. And I hope she knows I will go to battle for her too.
Kelsea Coria Phillips
Bridesmaid
How we met: Kelsey first taught me to take x-rays on pediatric patients in dental school while volunteering at a mobile dental clinic in 2019. As fate had it, we matched at the same residency and she became my big. Better match than any matches in the Bachelor Franchise history. What I love about her: She's down to earth. In the words of Kelsey, "brown people" are chill. And it's true! It's always good times, good vibes, and good company with Kelsey. When I think of my memories with Kelsey, I can only remember the laughter we shared from our shenanigans. Such as getting 8+ drinks for last call at Sea World and walking around Tampa after a dinner at Haiku only to end up at a bar drinking cocktails from a Caprisun bag. I didn't expect to meet a lifelong friend. Fun fact: Kelsey is basically my crystal ball cause whatever happens in her life, I follow a year behind. Haha.