Amy & Andy
Wedding Party
Surinder Chauhan
Mother of the Bride
This has been my mother's facial expression ever since Andy and I got engaged. Also, I think she likes him better than me. Whenever I ask her a question about something important, she'll sing her response using a popular song lyric. I get my laugh from her, and my silliness. While Papa preached controlling our emotions when in the face of a bully, Mom would encourage us to beat them up, proving you can take the girl out of Queens, but you can't take the Queen out of my Momma.
Diane Burrell
Mother of the Groom
Once and Future Math Teacher. Usually the smartest person in the room, although she'll never let you know. Extensive knowledge of classic Sci-Fi and Fantasy literature. The most supportive mom anyone has ever had. Taught me what all the swear words meant. Managed to read every single book in the Fort Benton library before going off to college. She once opened the door to call a young deer a son-of-a-bitch on Christmas Eve. Decorates her pies with the pi symbol on top.
Jasbir Chauhan
Father of the Bride
Papa is too cool for school, which is why I chose this picture. If Sean, Mom, or I say something really funny, he'll act like it's not that funny. And then we'll make fun of him for it, and he'll start to break into a smile. Every. Single. Time. Growing up, when something would break in our house, I'd watch him casually say he could fix it, and he always did. He gave me my appreciation for Chess, Motown music, and good BBQ. Many Saturday mornings, I woke up to the sounds of The Shaft Soundtrack playing on vinyl. Imagine being a little Indian kid in the kitchen eating her breakfast while singing 'He's a bad mutha' --- shut cho' mouth!'. Papa made that happen.
Richard Burrell
Father of the Groom
The patriarch of Clan Burrell. It is very, very hard to find a picture of just him, so this one of him and my mom will have to do. He usually knows what you're thinking and what you're feeling, despite having no documented psychic abilities. Knows a whole lot about weather systems, birds and plant species. Imagine if Aragorn worked with teenagers for 30 years. Upon retirement, decided to learn every soup recipe. Amy has nicknamed him, "Rickipedia."
Sean Chauhan
Man of Honor
He has a terrible habit of ruining songs I'm singing in the car by singing over me in an effort to get me to stop singing. He gets away with this because I'm too busy laughing to get mad. When harmonizing, I go low, and he goes high. It's been like this for over thirty years. It's one of the things I miss most about him after he visits me from SF. He can often be heard serenading my mother with old Hindi songs from black and white Bollywood films, and can often be seen shamelessly rolling on the floor with one of the numerous family dogs.
Jeffrey Burrell
Best Man
Jeff is my brother and best friend. He is very clever, but in his heart of hearts, he yearns to be able to brute-force his way through life's problems. He has a lot of good stories, so if you get a chance to talk to him, absolutely take it. He and I have a secret language made up almost entirely of Simpson's quotes. Also, ask him for mixed drink recipes.
Marie
Her Royal Highness
Marie is in charge of the house at all times and all of us are continually falling short of her expectations for how we will act. Her spirit animal is Miss Piggy. She is unimpressed by any of her brothers, and loves girl-time with Amy. Not convinced Democracy actually works.
Leo
Commander in Chief
Leo claims to be ex-KGB, but has refused to provide a resume or any relevant evidence to back that up. He does have a lot of stories though, and says that the fall of international communism is directly attributable to his weakness for belly rubs. Keeper of the bedtimes and official taster of all carrots, berries and the occasional potato chip.
Dinger
Court Jester
Dinger is very sweet, but very highly strung. He single-handedly keeps the Universe on schedule, and it takes a lot out of him. He's pretty stressed a lot of the time. He loves napping under the covers of the guest bed more than I've ever seen anyone else enjoy anything else. Much faster and stronger than he seems. Doesn't know it. Once befriended a rabbit through a picture window.
Aries
Former YouTube Star, Future Tiktok Star
Aries is the youngest of the pets. He wants to be a social media star and comment on current events, but he doesn't really have a super well defined world view. He's looking for recognition for his hard work blurring the line between affectionate and clingy. He's managed to pick a fight with just about every other dog in the subdivision. His dog walking coat has a little handle so we can pick him up like a suitcase.