Shirin & Omar
Wedding Party
Saloni Patel
Maid of Honor
"You guys know me, Shirin's favorite sister LOL! š I am so glad to have a sister like Shirin who has been there through all the laughter and smiles and also when I am at my worst needing guidance. I met her the day I was born and she has been my bestie since. I can't say I have a specific favorite memory with her, but I will always cherish the times she barged into my room, climbed into bed with me, and watched videos on our phones (even though it annoys me in the moment)."
Nicki Patel
Matron of Honor
Oh Shee-ran where do I begin. Ironically, the first time we met, I think we both had the same thought ā that the other person was a little pretentious. Little did we know, that couldnāt have been further from the truth. They say the best friendships often start with a bit of mutual dislike, and I guess we proved that right. Itās hard to pick just one favorite moment, but I think the ones that stand out most are our family game nights ā the two of us teaming up, laughing uncontrollably, and trying to convince everyone that your dad somehow managed to cheat at every single game before he inevitably flips the table on us.
Sarah Pashea
Bridesmaid
Shirin was one of the very first people I made friends with in high school. I came from an 8th grade class of 16 people so I literally knew no one when I started at EHS. We had a few classes together and I quickly realized this girl had the same sense of humor and we were the same type of weird. We bonded through sending each other snapchats with the most bizarre, unflattering filters and anglesā¦ that should tell you everything you need to know about our friendship š Our last names were alphabetically next to each other, so at every single formal high school event we were seated together, all we did was make jokes and laugh the whole time. We continued to be close throughout college and were lucky enough to work together scribing at our local ER and then also as medical assistants at a dermatology office. I donāt know how we actually got any work done, but we definitely knew how to make the best time out of it! My favorite memory of us has to be when I came to visit Shirin while she was studying in Sint Maarten. She showed me around to the best spots on the island and introduced me to all her friends. It was a week filled with good food and drinks, dancing, the beach, a hikeā¦ and one flat tire lol oops. It was a trip I will cherish forever! Iām so grateful to have had Shirin in my life throughout all these years and I canāt wait to stand next to her side on the big day!
Sonia Patel
Bridesmaid
I first met Shirin during our junior year of college, but it wasnāt until our senior-year spring break trip that we really clicked. Shirin was warm, inviting and had an infectious energy about her that I often still find myself feeding off of. We had to soon go our separate ways because of COVID, but our gap year in Saint Louis before medical school brought us closer. Somewhere between shared adventures and late-night conversations, we went from acquaintances to true friends. Over the past 5 years, we have created endless memories and inside jokes that we could spend a lifetime talking about. My favorite memories with Shirin were when we were both living on the East Coast, her in NYC and me in Jersey City. We would always find a way to see each other every weekend, that we went all the way to the Bronx Zoo the week of an exam just because it was rated the best zoo. Each memory is its own treasure, but that carefree day at the zoo captures exactly what I love about being friends with Shirin ā every moment becomes an adventure, and every adventure becomes a story weāll laugh about forever (and a vlog to share with our future kids). No matter the distance, our friendship is one that truly is unshakeable and being her bridesmaid now feels like the perfect full-circle moment.
Kayla Swisher
Bridesmaid
I met Shirin when we worked together as scribes in the hospital, and I also assumed she was a boy because we had never met or worked together officially LOL. š My favorite memory of us honestly is extremely hard to choose from, but probably jalapeƱo pizza and 3 jellybeans with a lollipop beak (iykyk)
Hima Gonuguntla
Bridesmaid
I met Shirin during our orientation week of medical school. I quickly realized that we would become best friends! We had so many memories on the island from the many beach walks and endless hours of studying. My favorite memories with her were celebrating each otherās birthdays on the island. She has become family and I cannot wait to stand by her and Omar on their wedding day!!
Kirstie Venegas
Bridesmaid
I met Shirin during our first week of third year on our surgery rotation. I still remember sitting in the on-call room at 6 a.m. when she walked in. We said hello, started talking, and it justā¦clicked. There was something about her energy that instantly felt familiar. Within minutes, it was like weād known each other for years. I found myself opening up to her right away, sharing things like weād been friends forever and she just got it. Got me. Talking to her felt easy, natural, like talking to my sister. From that moment on, I knew we were going to be best friendsā¦sisters, actually hehe. When it comes to my favorite memories with Shirin, itās not the big moments but the small ones: movie nights with our girlies, hanging out at her place doing absolutely nothing, laughing until our faces hurt, eating the fireee food she somehow always cooks for me lol, or just sitting in silence, perfectly content. Those are the moments that stick. Shirin, you are my person, my sister. you keep me grounded, you make me laugh until I have to hold my pee in, and make life so much more fun with you in it. Youāve seen me at my best and my worst, and somehow still choose to be there. Youāre my soul sister, the Tiffany Wilson to my Brittany Wilson, the Sebastian to my Viola and one of the most special people Iāve ever met. I canāt wait to stand by your side on your wedding day and in every season of life after that.
David Jochheim
Bridesman
Iāll always cherish the time we spent together on the island, whether we were studying in the library, eating our way across the island, or dancing just because we were such a good vibe. We always supported each other and were there for one another. I still remember meeting you during the first week of medical school when we all went to the beach for the first time as a group. You were sitting on the sand, and I just kept asking you a million questions, which is such a āmeā thing to do, and I joked about pushing you into the ocean. From that moment, I could tell how kind and genuine you were, and I loved being around you. Itās something I usually sense right away, and Iām glad I was right. It was funny because Iāve always been a big teaser who loves to joke around, and of course, my love for cheeseburgers never helped. Sometimes Iād say things just for fun, and while everyone else in our friend group would catch on, youād always believe me, which made it even funnier and more endearing.
Azary Hernandez
Bridesmaid
I remember the first time I met Shirin, I could not believe how funny and beautiful she was. Shirin became my home away from home, her caring personality and kindness uplifted me through the tough times. I will never forget the late nights studying, the memories we made, the yummy food we ate, and the laughs we shared. I cannot wait to continue making memories with her as we grow and our families get larger. I am so happy that Shirin found a man like Omar to go through life with. I know that together they will make a beautiful life.
Nirmit Butani
Groomsman
I remember first meeting Omar in a friend's dorm freshman year. I didn't really know much about him but he was definitely funny and purely himself. We didn't really hang out much until after we graduated and that's when i felt like this is one of the friendsthat I will have the rest of my life. My favorite memory with Omar has to be our float trip. I did not picture that day being as chaotic and fun as it turned out to be. Sonia losing her sunglasses and us having to help both Shirin and Sonia back into the raft. Just a day to relax, tell jokes, laugh, and feel like kids. That day wouldn't have been the same without Omar being there. Just being around him makes you want to be goofy, fun and light hearted. He brings that side out of people and I honestly can't be more grateful to have been able to share so many other amazing memories with him.
Niketh Chopra
Groomsman
There are honestly so many favorite memories of Omar that itās hard to pick just one. I would say one of the earliest and most characteristic of our friendship was the first time we played smash bros together. I purposely went easy on him until the last game or so and he was upset when I told him that so from then on, over the next coming years, every time I played him I would just beat him instead. But the conversations beyond the games are the moments I hold dear. During these games we would catch up on life and discuss the end goals of med school and what we expect from our futures. One theme that always held true was that he always wanted to be with Shirin. I truly am humbled to stick with my brother through all these years and finally see that goal come to life on his wedding day. I couldnāt have asked for a better friend and I am beyond ecstatic to be celebrating both his and Shirinās marriage.Ā Ā
Mustafa Naveed
Groomsman
I met Omar at a class picnic during orientation week in medical school and ever since then he became one of my closest friends. From all the trips weāve taken, all the hours studying and not studying on campus, all the nights on CT roof, and all lifting sessions in KCU gym blasting obnoxious music, Omarās always been a friend I can talk to about anything and heās always had good advice. I can always count on him to talk about real stuff or do dumb activities any time of day.
Angad Salh
Groomsman
I met Omar in medical school, and from the very beginning he stood outānot just for his unforgettable (and occasionally questionable) comments, but for the warmth and energy he brought into every room. I knew right away that he was someone who would bring light into the lives of everyone around him, and someone I could build a friendship that would last a lifetime. One of my favorite memories with him is cycling through Brooklyn together. Honestly, whatever we do has a way of turning into a core memory. Iām so excited for you on your big day.
Albert Aickareth
Groomsman
I remember meeting Omar early on in medical school by pure chance, and Iām so glad I did. What started as a random introduction quickly turned into one of the most meaningful friendships. Omar is the type of person you can go to for advice and end up having deep, hours-long conversations about any topic. At the same time, he has this incredible ability to make everyone around him laugh. Over the years, Iāve seen Omar bring out the best in the people around him, myself included. Heās dependable, thoughtful, and endlessly supportive, all while somehow being the funniest person in the room. Weāve shared a lot of memories over the years but my favorite with Omar has to be his birthday party when he forced us to do karaoke. I think he just wanted to show off his voice because he absolutely killed it singing the Frozen theme song. I am so grateful to call him a friend, and I canāt wait to celebrate Omar and Shirin on their wedding day.
Krishna Kothamasu
Groomsman
Omar and I first met during our first year of medical school in Kansas City at a social event at my Marcato apartment. One of my fondest memories with Omar was in our second year shortly after he moved into the same apartment complex as me. We spent all evening and into the night hanging out on his balcony listening to music, talking about our childhood and families, the difficulties of med school, and even relationships. This was when I knew him and Shirin had something special and lifelong. Over the years, from the long nights of studying to the many trips weāve taken together, heās quickly become of my best friends, someone I can learn from, and I am lucky to call a brother.
Mayur Khanna
Groomsman
I first met Omar during our summer physics classes of junior year, where we bonded almost instantly over our near identical sense of humor. One minute we were laughing our way through lab experiments, and the next we were talking like weād known each other for years. Those early days in the physics lab were the beginning of a friendship thatās only grown stronger ever since. My favorite memory with Omar is the day we spent biking through Brooklyn, squeezing a whole adventure into just a few hours. We hopped from tourist spot to tourist spot, ate way more than we should have, and somehow still found time for those long, honest conversations that stick with you. We even tried a bit of āurban exploringā. Itās rare to find someone who can make a day feel both effortless and meaningful, and thatās exactly who Omar is. Heās the kind of person you can always rely on, someone whoās fully present and truly listens.
Vishruth Sunilkumar
Groomsman
Omar has always felt like my brother from another mother. We met in undergrad, but our bond really grew after graduation. One of my favorite memories was during COVID, when it felt like the whole world was empty. Me, Omar, and Shirin spent a whole day exploring St. Louis, ending on a bench in Forest Park overlooking the Pagoda while catching the sunset. We had one of those rare, honest talks about life, purpose, and who we wanted to become, which is a moment Iāll forever cherish. Since then, weāve always checked in on each other, not just about med school and residency, but about staying grounded and intentional. If youāve known Omar as long as I have, youāve seen his incredible growth. His self awareness, maturity, and the way he lifts people around him through playful humor are what make him so special. Iām so proud to call him my friend, and I canāt wait to see the life he and Shirin build together!
Connor Burnett
Groomsman
My favorite memory is of Omar and me walking back our dormitory and I was trying to convince him to ask out shirin. I remember him having some doubts, and I was like Omar, she just laughed at the worst joke Iāve ever heard you say. She has to like you some.
Nathan Stalter
Groomsman
Iāve known Omar since we were in high school. We werenāt in the same grade, so we didnāt share many classes, but we did share a lot of friends, a piano teacher, and a bizarre sense of humor. My favorite memory with Omar is our sessions at the gym when he would come visit home while he was attending school in Kansas City and I was working in St Louis. I found it really special being able to catch up and navigate our early twenties while staying active and supporting each other in that way
