Yuan & Zhen
Our I-Do Crew
Suma Reddy
Maid of Honor
I can't believe Suma and I only talked once during the first 2 months of medical school. That's because she was always the studious student sitting in the front row, and I was the slacker as usual sitting in the back. The magic happened when she showed up to class late one day and HAD to sit in the back with me. The rest is history :) Suma has always been there for me for the goods and bads of medical school. We cried together, laughed together, held our hands together through all the hurdles (I was actually holding her hand during the 10 sec count down for match). She's the only person I can always count on for day drinking, and the one to convince me that going to bed at 8PM is a wonderful idea. I absolutely need her to hold my hand again to get me through my big day!
Julia Liu
Bridesmaid
I first "met" Julia when she was just a bald crying baby, who wouldn't stop pulling on my hair. I used to change her diapers, chase her around the house, and definitely made her cry on multiple occasions for reasons I did not even know. For the longest time, to me, she was that cry baby who wanted to tag along to everything. But in a blink of an eye, she grew up to be this beautiful, kind, strong, and caring woman, who is so passionate on helping others. Although we are cousins, we have always loved each other like sisters. We laugh at the same stupid jokes, watch the same old dramas over and over again, and share the same passions for Disney. Make sure to hand her tissues during the wedding, because I know she will always be my "cry little baby." :)
Kerry Huang
Bridesmaid
Kerry and I first met in 7th grade math class. I was new to the school, and she was the first person to talk to me. Then she became my first new friend. We went through the dreadful teenage phase together, where she blossomed into a beautiful woman, and I somehow was stuck in that phase. I'm so glad she didn't abandon me as a friend because I was just this extremely awkward and nerdy person (still am). She was also the first person to tell me that Zhen and I would one day "sit in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g..." just to tease me when I was 15. Kerry has the happiest giggles and the warmest hugs. She is so caring and has a big loving heart. Although she lives in SF and I in Texas, but our friendship stayed strong over the years. I just can't imagine saying "I do" without her standing by my side.
Theresa Rodriguez
Bridesmaid
When I first moved to El Paso four years ago, I did not know a single person there. Theresa was my first friend in medical school and we immediately bonded over Chick Fil A sandwiches during lunch hour. She is the one other person I know, besides myself, who has a hot pink backpack as a medical student, and is not ashamed of it. As we grew closer, I also got to know her beautiful family, her loving and always down for drinking husband Larry, and her two gorgeous puppies Doug and Lana. The best times I had in El Paso always had Theresa in it: Step 1, shelf exams, anatomy class, and countless happy hours :P. Theresa is the only woman I know who is fearless enough to be a female surgeon, and I could not be more proud of her for sticking to her passion throughout this long journey.
Allen Lu
Best Man
Yuan and I have known Allen for 17 years, in fact I just spoke about this at his wedding a few weeks ago where I was his best man. I'm going to write some nice things here in hopes he'll also have nice things to say about me during his speech. I grew up with Allen back in College Station - we played basketball together, went to Chinese school together, and dominated many n00bs on Starcraft together. He really is like a brother to me, so much so his parents pretty much fed me daily when we were in middle school. I know Allen will always have my back, which is why I've asked him to be my Best Man on one of the most important days of my life.
Simon Tiu
Groomsman
Simon and I first met each other in 8th grade Speech class, we bonded over a friendly competition of standing broad jump where we pretty much tied even though I was a head taller than him back in the day. We've been best friends since - his family was like my family, and vice versa. Simon actually helped me store the engagement ring I had shipped to his place in Chicago (gotta save on that tax, y'all). I flew to Chicago for one night, crashed at Simon's place, and got some solid advice from him and his wife Haley on my "ask Yuan's parents for their blessings" speech. I was able to get their blessings the next day, and I couldn't be more thankful to have a brother like Simon to help me through it all.
Dan Zhao
Groomsman
Dan's my high school buddy, we both grew up in College Station and had both gone to A&M for College. After graduation we moved to opposite ends of the country - he worked in NYC for 4 years, and I was in SF for 3 years. Eventually we somehow both ended up back in Dallas and I found out he's become an expert in Real Estate. Needless to say I asked Dan to help me find a house of my own, and he helped me close on a dream house a few months later, which is conveniently located just 10 min down the road from his house. Nowadays we eat way too much Asian food together any chance we get, so I should probably stop hitting him up for food soon so I can get that wedding bod.
Justin Su
Groomsman
Justin's one of my oldest friends - we grew up in the Chinese church community and spent many summers together volunteering at the local vacation bible school. Justin taught me how to play the guitar, which in a way, is how I was able to serenade my way into Yuan's heart - so thank you Justin, for giving me the skills I needed to win over my future wife. Justin's a way better friend than I deserve, mainly because he always tries to keep in touch and schedule phone calls to catch up. Justin's also one of the smartest dudes I know, and I wouldn't be surprised if he wins the Nobel prize one day. Ladies - Justin is still single, just saying.
Jovin and Kevin Liu
Ring Bearer
Yuan's lovely yet super loud and energetic nephews