Robin & Toby
Wedding Party
Robin Harrison
Bride
Independent woman, accidentally fell in love with Toby Ubu
Toby Ubu
Groom
Hopeless romantic. The batman that found his partner in crime.
Leah Evko
Maid of Honor
Leah and Robin have been best friends since they were 5 years old, which means Leah has seen the good, the bad, and the chubby stage of Robin’s middle school days, and still stuck around. They may not be related by blood, but they are sisters in spirit and have been up to shenanigans since day 1 – when they tried to trick their mothers (also best friends) into stalling the playdate from ending. Leah’s many talents include elevated sarcastic commentary on life, Oscar-worthy acting in many childhood plays, and treasure hunting with Robin throughout countless bookshops and thrift stores. Leah introduced Robin to the horrors and wonders of Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest which has become an important annual fixture in her life and deserved a place in this brief bio; and together Leah and Robin hosted the award-winning podcast, Brilliant Catastrophe. Please don’t ask further questions regarding this podcast or what award was given / who issued it. When they were children, they promised to be each other’s Maids of Honor, and now they are getting to live out their childhood dreams this October!
Chike Ubu
Best Man
The groom’s younger and only brother. Described as by the groom as homie from day 558 (they are 18 months apart in age), their friendship spans their entire lives, from days playing with legos and playing power rangers (in which the groom insisted Chike be the blue ranger, while the groom reserved the main character, the red ranger for himself), playing basketball in pick up and in shared basketball teams, watching Netflix movies back in the days of DVD delivery, going to sporting events (every major sport: check), and checking out trendy restaurants across the Fort Lee, NYC, and Miami areas. Inseparable as children, and close as adults, they share a love for the New York Yankees, the Philadelphia Eagles, and most things hoops (though Chike’s Alma Mater prevents him from meaningfully participating in the college hoops conversation), appreciation of quality TV (ask them about the summer in which they finished 5 seasons of the show “Lost”), and life of the party charisma. They also share a deep mutual respect that has grown with time, appreciation for authenticity, curiosity, love of nerdy things( i.e Marvel, Starwars, Game of Thrones…), and personal connection to faith. They do not share Chike’s love for the masochism of running half marathons, or 5 am workouts in “the lab”. When he’s not traveling, you can find him at the gym or running half marathons on a whim. As one of Toby’s best friends, asking him to be the best man was one of the easiest decisions the groom has made.
Olivia Harrison
Bridesmaid
Olivia is the “Beth” to Robin’s “Meg”, but she actually survived her bout with scarlet fever. Olivia is the first sister that poor Robin, surrounded by brothers, prayed desperately for when their mother became pregnant with twins (and was closely followed by her twin sister 5 minutes later). Over the years Olivia has grown up into more than just a little sister – she is one of Robin’s best friends and confidants, and a partner in crime for many shenanigans including pranks that involve wigs / embarrassing their siblings in front of crushes. Olivia is renown in the Harrison family for her cleverness and creativity, for winning the Christmas Onesie competition too many times (iykyk), and is the queen of having the wittiest and most unexpected response to anything. She can make Robin laugh on the worst day / at the dumbest things, and yet can also make Robin cry at airports when Olivia flies far away overseas - where she now lives for work. It’s giving “well rounded”. Robin is always glad to have Olivia there beside her – for life in general and especially for the wedding. Toby had to meet Olivia’s approval before anything serious (like marriage) could be considered!
Tim Hsu
Groomsman
One of the groom’s oldest friends from amongst groomsmen, hailing originally from Taiwan. Their friendship began in the early days of Facebook when they met at the GA common room during Duke Freshmen Orientation week and the conversation went as follows: Toby, “ You’re Tim from Facebook”. Tim, “ You’re Toby from Facebook” (Their Facebook friendship started after joining the Duke freshman class Facebook group and Tim commenting on Toby’s profile picture of dunking a basketball). The rest of the friendship is history, spanning >15 years, many California(SF and LA), Charlottesville, and New York Trips, basketball leagues, and more. In their friendship Tim can be always counted on to plan the logistics of travel (except for if you ask Josh, the time where the destination was a theme park in the midwest), supply comedic relief, and select and order delicious food at authentically Chinese restaurants. The groom consider’s Tim as a “brother from another from another mother”, both in his consistency and intentionality as a friend and the fact that Tim will stop by on his NYC trips to visit the groom’s parents at Time Square Church, whether or not the groom is present. Though they haven’t shared living in the same city since they were roommates senior year of college, they continue to share a love of God, a love of all things Basketball including Duke basketball, and a sense of adventure. They do not share Tim’s pop culture knowledge or penchant to practice different accents.
Michelle Harrison
Bridesmaid
Michelle is the “Jo” to Robin’s “Meg”. She is the second sister that Robin prayed for in the set of twins (Robin won both! s/o to girls), escaping the womb to fully embrace being a middle child – rebellious, charming, independent, and a whole lot of fun. Known as Robin’s BAE – sorry Toby – Michelle is Robin’s personality twin and partner in crime. She is renown in the family for her sense of style, her sense of adventure, and her sense of spider (big peter parker fan). She has lived in multiple countries and is now living in Spain but is flying back to support Robin on the second biggest day of her life (the actual biggest day obviously being when she and her twin were born). Michelle and Robin share a love for coffee, reading, sarcasm, bucket hats, and the Troy and Abed Morning Show. Michelle has grown up from a small toddler afraid of lint and socks into an especially close friend that is the perfect balance of strong and sweet, just what every sister wants. She always has Robin's back (and vice versa). Robin can’t wait to have her BAE there with her at the wedding!
Josh Wolters
Groomsman
Also one of the groom's oldest friends, his story of first meeting the groom mirrors that of Tim, sans the facebook comment introduction. On that fateful day at the GA common room, Tim’s roommate Josh was also present. Lo and behold, on the first day of classes in Greek History, there he was. Josh, Tim and Toby formed an inseparable triumvirate (shout out to classical studies… iykyk). Hailing originally from Chicagoland, though the drive to Chicago from his hometown totals to 1 hr without traffic, Josh could always be counted on to get the group to act on one of his big ideas or to plan an elaborate prank. Josh is one of the most generous and spontaneous people the groom has ever met and has a habit of including and inviting eclectic groups of people into fun activities. Basketball has been one of those activities and has served as a theme in their friendship, with Josh playing the villain role, often the groom’s arch nemesis on the court, garnering comparisons like Kevin Love, Nikola Jokic, and now fitting for Chicago, Angel Reese. They have also teamed up together on the legendary “Team Supplies” during their time at Duke and have run pick up games in many cities like Chicago, Tenafly, New Jersey, and Miami, surprising dismayed opponents. They share a love of video games, hoops, food, and the Lord. They do not share Josh’s mad scientist energy and capacity to simultaneously follow through on 3-4 big ideas at the same time in the same 24-hour day.
Joy Harrison
Bridesmaid
Joy is the “Amy” to Robin’s “Meg”. She is the youngest of the seven siblings and the four girls, Robin’s childhood roommate, and the smartest person in the family (she is an astrophysicist). Joy is famous for her ability to rap (not on demand though so don’t ask), her detailed knowledge of all things related to space and time, and for her former love of Jason Whittaker from Adventures in Odyssey. She was the first person to know that Toby kissed Robin on the first date – she got the phone call! – yet was ultimately Toby’s toughest critic when he first started dating Robin. Joy is now begrudgingly allowing him to marry her oldest sister, but whether that means he has won her approval is still unclear, although she does now call Toby “Baby T" (and he calls her “Baby J” after her favorite comedian) so things are looking up. Joy is known for trying to incorporate gen Z language into everyday conversation, impressing Toby with her basketball skills (not easy to do), and for quoting John Mulaney’s standup as though the jokes are actually her originals. She and Robin share a love for Taylor Swift, annoying their twin sisters, all things science/nerdy, and in practicing the art of dozing – a quite different thing from napping. Robin loves Joy very much and is grateful that she has approved this wedding and will be there by her side in October!
Beamer Carr
Groomsman
His friendship with the groom dates back to days in Charlottesville, after first meeting at 3 distinct places: at a free clinic, at church, and then in the context of a luncheon catered by Domino’s Pizza. Beamer is earnest and approachable, traits that turned these unlikely meetings into a deep life-on-life friendship that the groom had prayed for. Hailing from many places, but most closely from Richmond, Virginia, Beamer’s ties to his short-term home of Kansas City range in all things sports from the Kansas Jayhawks, to Kansas City Chiefs, to Kansas City Royals. Toby and Beamer share a love for God and love of all things sport, and to this day will never forget the Jordan-Lebron Debate of Mel’s Cafe 2016. Their friendship spans their overlap in Charlottesville Virginia, New York City, and South Florida and many car-ride phone catch ups. You can find Beamer in his new home in Northern New Jersey, wrestling with his four-year-old, calming his twin girls, or hanging with his wife, in between workout sets at his home gym (the only trope of an orthopod that he shares). The groom does not share his ability to function on < 5 hrs of sleep without the assistance of caffeinated beverages, namely coffee.
Madison Cothran
Bridesmaid
Madison and Robin are the ying and yang of energy levels; a thoughtful, introverted, wise and stable person, Madison has been an anchor for Robin’s chaotic energy ever since they met in college – and she slowly has been converting Robin into an introvert with moderate success! Madison is responsible for first introducing the idea of becoming a doctor to Robin during one of their intense Biology Major study sessions (the kind that caused each of them to rethink all their life decisions). Madison is also responsible for dragging Robin up mountains before sunrise – to watch said sunrise – and teaching her to love tea, settlers of catan, and the sound of crickets on a summer night in the NC mountains. Robin cannot imagine her life without Madison in it – even though she lives far away in England now, they communicate daily via competing in the NYT daily crossword puzzles. Both are prone to getting into awkward situations but together they are also a team to be reckoned with in getting OUT of those situations unscathed. Madison is the kind of treasured friend and adventure buddy that many people can spend their whole life wishing for and never find; Robin found her Madison and is so glad to have her there for the big day in October!
Manny Olojede
Groomsman
His friendship with the groom dates back to Freshmen Fall at Duke, though the precise moment seems blurry. At first, the life similarities brought them together: extremely extroverted, from the New York City Metropolitan area, and eldest son to Nigerian parents, yet it was their love for God and consistent friendship that kept them together. Their friendship spanned overlapping times in the New York City Metroplex and Central Virginia. You can always count on Manny to laugh out loud literally, saying” Toby” as he shakes his head in response to groom’s shenanigans and to provide affirmation and encouragement in short spans of time. Manny and the groom share a love of the New York Yankees, a love of NBA basketball and Duke Basketball (and share many moments together with that including watching the 2015 National Championship and many a Duke-UNC game in Charlottesville, VA), and a love for God. If you see him, ask about the time he and the groom met Zach Woods of the “Office” and “Silicon Valley” at a Manhattan Pizza Restaurant. The groom does not share his pick-up basketball rivalry (as the rivalry is decidedly one-sided… the groom leaves the conclusion to the reader).
Noopur Doshi
Bridesmaid
Kem Cho! Noopur and Robin met in medical school where they bonded over chipotle, New Girl, Monday night happy hours, and grueling clinical rotations. In an environment like medical school that often fosters stress and comparison, Noopur had a down-to-earth personality that matched Robin’s; once they found each other, it was like Jess and Cece from New Girl – a dynamic duo, meant to be! Together they survived the worst things about medical school in NC: early mornings and cold weather. Noopur introduced Robin to the infamous “Brown Crew” and taught Robin how to speak enough Gujrati to impress uber drivers; they have traveled the country together, exploring cities, wineries, and national parks. Noopur has also been prepping Robin’s spice tolerance for years – almost like she knew that one day Robin would marry Toby and have to eat spicy food forever! Noopur is one of the kindest and strongest women that Robin knows and is a treasured friend that she can’t imagine living without; Robin is so glad to have her standing beside her this October.
Minh Nguyen Pham
Groomsman
His Friendship with the groom dates back to the spring of freshman year at Duke with their meeting commencing through text as follows, “ Hi, I’m Toby, friend of Chris De’angelo, can I get a ride with you to the Summit tomorrow?”. After Small Group at Cru’s famed “Isle of Cru” in Emerald Isle, sophomore year, their friendship deepened as they co-led freshmen small groups together for the next 2 years. Hailing from Greensboro, Carolina, Minh can be counted on to do things that are incredibly thoughtful AND incredibly…unique to all who know him. Minh can be described as extremely kind and extremely wise, and the groom credits much of his personal growth to their relationship. They share a love for the finer things in life, good music, and good food as well as a love for God. Over the years, they’ve shared multiple life stages though in different places (gap year, medical school, residency,and attending) shared home-cooked Vietnamese meals, $5 feasts at Canal Street's China Town, and strange yet delicious aloe water. Minh can be credited for Toby’s introduction to Sriracha Sauce. They do not share Minh’s penchant for cleanliness and high level of organization.
Jessica Duke
Bridesmaid
Robin and Jess found personal chemistry in the chemistry lab in college. From lab partners in Organic Chemistry they ultimately became Lab Partners in the great experiment of Life, supporting each other through all the highs, lows, and unexpected null hypothesis rejections. They have never stopped wearing their safety goggles, picking each other back up when knocked down, and cheering each other on. From the chemistry lab to car chases, living together, New Girl and Ted Lasso binges, prioritizing naps, the Eras Tour, obsessing over botany, and making Jess’ wonderful husband, Jared, photograph them together everywhere, the two share a love for all things science/nerdy, for Taylor Swift, and for tall, sweet, former-athletes that want to marry them. Jess is a talented musician and song-writer, has a strange (but evidently common) obsession with murder podcasts, and is a wonderful mother to a baby that got to attend the Eras concert for free!! S/o to baby Lucy for beating ticketmaster at their own game. Robin is thankful to have her lab partner on hand for this next big life experiment called marriage!
Stephen Wise
Groomsman
His friendship with the groom dates back to Duke years, but moved from acquaintance to friendship when they were roommates for the infamous “Cru Preview” weekend the spring of their junior year of college in which they both survived a trip to Atlanta’s infamous “Underground Mall”. Proudly hailing from Houston, Texas, he can be counted on for his sense of humor in which he follows a deadpan with a full-body smile and laugh, an introverted extrovert when you get to know him. Their friendship spans many Rise Southern Biscuits and Righteous Chicken Bro dates, de-spiced jollof rice (courtesy of Chef Mrs. Ubu), Tour de Texas including the Houston Astros game before they were good, and many a phone call. The groom and he share a love of all things sports (though they can only agree on Duke basketball and football), a love of God, and a love of genuine conversation. They do not share Stephen’s timeliness, his love for the Houston Astros, and his hate for the groom’s beloved New York Yankees.
Christina Debenedictus
Bridesmaid
Robin and Christina knew each other peripherally throughout residency training, but it wasn’t until a two week stretch of miserable nightshifts together that they bonded over 3am coffee in the hospital Starbucks and realized that they had everything in common -- especially the type of men they were in love with! That sort of discovery is a godsend. After that coffee date, there was no stopping their friendship. Whether paddleboarding and searching for manatees (and finding them!), movie dates with the boys in tow, Shark Week evenings with Shark themed wine, brunches and happy hours galore, or playing with her cutie toddler (still can’t believe he’s a toddler now), Luca, life with Christina is a full-throttle sweet adventure full of laughter, dry humor, and fun. She is the friend everyone wishes they had to do life with –even writing out countless Christmas card addresses or stringing endless bracelets for the children’s hospital is a fun task with her!! Robin is so happy the craziness of residency brought them together and honestly can’t imagine doing life without her; she is excited to have Christina standing there beside her this October!
Luke Myhre
Groomsman
His friendship with the groom dates back to orientation for medical school in Charlottesville Virginia. One of their first conversations started as follows, Toby, “ O you’re an MK”. Luke,(does not acknowledge the statement and proceeds to walk away). Despite this inauspicious start, the two were inseparable during their time in Charlottesville and their resultant friendship has spanned fox field horse races, venison in West Virginia, carpool rides to and from church, road trips from Minneapolis to Sioux Falls, bike rides in Nantucket, hikes up Old Rag (despite the groom’s fear of heights), and Chelsea vs Man United Soccer viewing matches. He hails from Uganda and Kenya and can be counted on both for his genuine acts of friendship and bitingly sarcastic and witty sense of humor. He and the groom share a love of English soccer, an appreciation of the poetic, and a love for a genuine, lived-out faith. They do not share Luke’s efficiency and disdain for smiling in the morning hours.
Sara Jananeh
Bridesmaid
Sara and Robin met walking in to the first day of their Miami pediatrics residency during the COVID pandemic…a time filled with fear and anxiety already, both were alone in a new city and about to start the most grueling 3 years of their lives so far… and as fate would have it they found each other before even walking in the door. Everything was better after that!! Loved by both the bride and groom, Sara is known affectionately by the couple as “Sara J” or “Ja-naynay”, a true legend, and can be spotted rocking her yeezys with her scrubs while filling her coworkers in on the latest plot twist from Real Housewives. Sara is a contagious bundle of joy and fun, always down for a late-night Miami adventure, shopping trip to Zara, or a lazy coffee date. She is one of the most selfless, caring people Robin has ever met. Sara was actually there in the room hyping Robin up back in 2020 when Robin first decided to ask Toby out, and now can see the completion of her work up close at the wedding this October when the two say "I do". Robin is so happy to have Sara standing by her side!
Joel John
Groomsman
The oldest of the groom's friends not named Chike, their friendship dates back to their Freshman year of high school at Hawthorne Christian Academy. As such they share many memorable moments such as a mix-up of Spanish words in Costa Rica, the discovery of his middle name at the airport and subsequent consternation, singing engagements in high school select chorus, and multiple Dumont catch-ups over NBA playoff basketball. Their friendship deepened in the college years of wrestling with faith in a secular context. It also spans HS, college, early career days, marriage, and now Joel’s recent fatherhood. Hailing from Dumont, NJ he can be counted on for bathroom humor, strengthened by the use of Mayali words, and genuine interest in the conversation piece “How are things going with God”. They share a love for God, genuine laughs, and for Android Phones. They do not share Joel’s love of the New York Giants, nor his penchant for wearing ties around his head at wedding receptions.