Abena & Drew
Our Tribe
Adwoa Tawiah
Maid of Honor
I am Abena's sister and have spent a lifetime suffering her. I'm so excited to stand by her side as Drew takes on this responsibility. Last Christmas, our whole family went back to Ghana and Abena brought Drew to show him her home country. While we were there, we were so hype to attend Afrochella to see Wizkid in concert and introduce Drew to Afrobeats. We got the tickets, we got our outfits ready, we took an Uber to the venue and waited patiently for Wizkid. He was the headline act so we figured there would a few artists performing before him. We got a great position right near the stage and waited through act after act. Guess what time Wizkid came on stage? 3 am! Needless to say we vowed to NEVER stand for 8+ hours waiting for ANYBODY to perform ever again.
Harrison Raby
Best Man
My name is Harrison Raby, I’m the Best Man and Drew’s roommate at 2010 Duncan Avenue. I feel that I am the one to thank for Drew and Abena’s marriage, since they fell in love during Abena’s frequent visits to Chattanooga to hang out with me. I love Drew because he is loyal, thoughtful, and he bought us a 72-inch TV and always lets me choose what we’re watching. And despite the constant shade she throws at my beloved Tottenham Hotspur FC, I love Abena because she is effervescent, warmhearted, and because my buddy Drew deserves to spend the rest of his life with someone way out of his league.
Jessica Barrett
Bridesmaid
One of the first times that Abena and I hung out outside of church, she invited me over to her dorm room to watch Stranger Things. We started this escapade at 7 pm; if you know anything about Abena and I, "our" grandma bedtime is about 9. First, we're hungry, so we journey across campus to get food. Abena and I are joking around as per usual the whole night. By the time we get back to the dorm and start it's even later, so I'm thinking we'll watch about 2 episodes. But I soon realized we were going to watch the whole series. Next thing you know it's 3 am and we finished all of Stranger Things. All that to say, if you are gearing up to watch a series with Abena, you are watching it all. I am lucky to have such a great friend who's so much fun that she can get a grandma to stay up all night.
David Goodloe
Groomsman
After Drew and I finished the Chattanooga Fellows program together, I needed a new car. I found one in Johnson City, TN (3.5 hours away), and Drew was looking to hang out that weekend so he (being the great friend he is) offered to take the trek up with me – just to keep me company and be emotional support while making the biggest purchase of my life. We rode up and had a great time jamming and conversing about everything you can imagine in life, from career goals to dating to big adult purchases. We waited for hours at the dealer, only to learn I’d have to come back in 2 weeks to get the car. That trip would have been lonely and scary without Drew there. This is one of the many examples of how Drew is an incredible friend. I’m honored to stand with him as he marries the love of his life.
Nhan Dinh
Bridesmaid
Abena and I met in college at Lipscomb. Next thing I know, she just follows me around. She is the sister I didn't really ask for (I'm an only child). All jokes aside, we share lots of good memories, and she is one of the best friends I am blessed to claim. My favorite memories are trying hot chicken, eating tacos (tons) from San Luis Taqueria and road tripping to CA. For the Cali story I need to tell it in person because it's crucial to witness Abena's face during the story. Abena can be feisty, argumentative, hardheaded, and extraordinarily particular in the kitchen (even if it's not hers). However, I know her as a trustworthy, tenderhearted, patient, kind, and loyal friend. I'm glad she found the one (best of luck Drew) and can't wait to be their 11 children's favorite "Asian" auntie.
James Holekamp
Groomsman
Drew and I met in 2017 while coaching FCA lacrosse together. Since then, we have spent countless hours traveling, coaching, and competing with and against each other. When we are not on the field, he braves the "long and treacherous" 25 minute drive to my house for game nights, where he joins forces with my wife to beat me at everything... and I mean everything. Drew has become one of my greatest friends, and I am truly excited to stand next to him as he starts this next adventure with Abena. Abena: Also, Cassie gets an honorary mention because without her forcing Drew to sign up for Bumble, there'd be no us!
Erika Echternach
Bridesmaid
I drove down to Tennessee to visit Drew and Abena for a week in January of 2021. I stopped in Knoxville to get Abena and then we went on to Chattanooga. The plan was to spend the week hanging out with friends, eating good food, and exploring the town. However, Drew ended up getting Covid, so Abena and I got sent back to Knoxville after only one day in Chattanooga. So it turned into a girls trip which was probably wayyyy more fun! Loved getting the time to bond with my future sister!
Jack McCracken
Groomsman
Frostbite, pranks, adventures and quality conversations. These are things that define my friendship with Drew. For better or worse, Drew refuses to back down from a challenge – even if that means walking barefoot through snow to prove a point. End result? Frostbite and 2nd degree burns, but bonding over hospital visits, piggyback rides and wheelchair rides. Pranks and adventures – from skydiving to hidden alarm clocks in friends’ rooms to trying way too hard in IM sports to just generally goofing around, we became close friends and created tons of memories. Lastly, as I’m sure many would attest to, conversations with Drew point to him genuinely being a quality person. He’s smart, considerate, hardworking and always has an interesting perspective to offer. I’m lucky to call him my friend.
Keevana Edwards
Bridesmaid
During our second year of law school, one day at lunch Abena found out that free tickets to a Macklemore concert were available at the gym. We had an hour until our next classes and thought we could make it in time. After a brisk walk, we got our tickets and then decided to take a bus back to the law school. To our surprise, the bus we hopped on was going anywhere but the law school! We got a bus tour of the entire UT campus and met some funny characters along the way, barely making it to class on time. The next day, we made good use of our tickets and adventure and enjoyed a free Macklemore concert!
Derek Phillips
Groomsman
I think one of my favorite things about mine and Drew’s friendship is that we both found our wives on dating apps. We both started the dating app journey at the same time. One of our good friends, Cassie Holekamp, actually created our profiles because in her words, “I’m tired of y’all not having a lady and I need more friends” lol. Well it worked out great for the both of us. I married my wife this past October and now Drew will be getting married soon. So if you’re on the fence about whether or not to use a dating app, I can speak for both of us…They work! And you should totally let your friend make your profile!
Nahot Mengistu
Bridesmaid
We are the kind of friends that can go months without talking then talk for hours without missing a beat. I met Abena back in high school in Ghana. She was the first friend that suffered through my broken English. We were both competitors and great friends and spent majority of high school together until I moved to a different school in senior year. That’s a story for another time, but I remember us and a couple of our classmates sitting by the stairs crying as I was leaving as if we’d never see each other again….what was that all about? So dramatic lol! Needless to say, here we are almost a decade later about to celebrate her big day! I am so proud of what you have achieved and so excited for you to start your new journey with Drew!
Kwame Tawiah
Groomsman
One of my favorite memories with Abena was our family trip to the Kakum National Park canopy walk in Cape Coast, Ghana. Our first family trip there was when I was roughly 7 or 8 and absolutely terrified of heights, so being suspended 130 ft in the air beyond the tops of massive trees wasn't exactly reassuring. Since that day, Abena has been teasing and tormenting me as naturally I was crying and too scared to do the 7 bridges, barely surviving 3. During Abena and Drew's visit to Ghana last December, we went on the same course. However, this time, despite teasing me the whole car ride there and after completing all 7 bridges, Abena was unanimously voted the most terrified. Especially during the first couple bridges, witnessing Abena being hysterical and shrieking as the bridge swayed from Drew jumping and shaking the bridge ropes, felt extremely rewarding, bringing redemption after so many years of Abena’s disturbance.
Chidimma Nwaneri
Bridesmaid
I met Abena in the summer of 2018. She was reading on a bench in front of the law school while I was walking out of the building, super excited for the weekend. It was only the first week of classes but she looked stressed already. I stopped to speak with her to make sure she was doing okay and we struck a conversation. We realized we were almost neighbors back home, her being Ghanaian and me Nigerian. She then randomly asked me if I wanted to ride the shuttle with her while she asked me questions about classes and law school in general. Being excited to head back to Nashville, I (politely) declined but gave her my number and told her to text me anytime. We’ve been friends ever since.
Jamie Thompson
Groomsman
Abena and I became fast friends in law school. I guess one could say that I am like her "brother in law" (get it? because we are lawyers). Abena and I frequently went to get Korean BBQ in Knoxville to avoid cooking or campus food. One time, Abena asked for extra rice with her meal and the waitress flat out told her "No." That lady scared us every time we went. She was a stern grandmother and Abena was not allowed to have any extra food! It was the funniest, most heart breaking KBBQ experience, while the food was always good, the service was rough around the edges. When Abena introduced me to Drew, I knew immediately these two are soulmates. From waiting for hours for delicious Nashville Hot Chicken to weekend brunches, it has been a privilege to witness the love they have for each other.
Uche Ukazim
Bridesmaid
Abena my Fine West African Sister! Where do I start? Abena and I met at the cafeteria in college at Lipscomb University in 2016. She was sitting across from my table with her cute little cornrows and a winter jacket. It was my freshmen year and I had already seen her around campus and so I and my then roommate decided to say hello to her because she seemed cool and we felt she might be African as well. We walked up to her table and asked if we could join her. She was super sweet and down to earth! She introduced herself, gave us her number, and made us feel so welcome. After meeting in college, Abena and I have been inseparable ever since. I am so proud of her and how much she has accomplished. I am so happy for my girl Abena and excited to be part of the bridal tribe!
Nathan Walker
Groomsman
Drew and I did the Chattanooga Fellows Program together, but didn’t become good friends until I lived in his closet for 2 years. Yes. You read that right. Once I moved back to Chattanooga, he offered me a place to live. Despite his 3 bedroom house already being full, he didn’t hesitate to share a room with me. After a weekend away, I found my twin bed moved into Drew’s walk-in closet. Though my roommates wanted it to be a prank, I got the last laugh when I found it was more comfortable in the closet! It’s bigger on the inside than it looks… Drew is one of the most generous, loyal friends out there. I’ll miss our long talks on work nights, but I’m even more excited to be a part of this special moment in Drew and Abena’s lives! Abena, you’re a lucky woman! Keep him out of trouble.