PDA

Public displays of affection. I’m ok with PDA to some extent. So here, have some PDA.

As I’ve been wedding planning, I’ve realized how wonderful my friends are. Being in our twenties is a strange time and often friends feel more like a cohesive family than family does. 2 years after my mom died, 5 years since 9/11, my life is like “an overflowing soupbowl,” filled with people who love, eat, laugh, and trespass. So, for those of you who don’t know, let me share a little bit about the team who will be standing there with me and others whom I love deeply.

The lineup

Jessica “Where’s the Sisterhood?” Tu: My sister and one of my best friends. There really is no other bond like sisterhood. She is hilarious, can eat like none other, tells me when my hair looks horrible and likes to take my stuff. We’ve freaked out on the phone together about things that no one else can fulling understand. She’s grown into a beautiful lady who inspires me all the time.

Alinna “Don’t mess with my friends” Satake: Alinna is a loyal friend to the end. A provider and a protector, you can count on Alinna to come home after a long day of teaching and bake cupcakes for her friends. She is secretly aspiring to single-handedly open a Cheese Board in her own house. She has protected me from (read: threatened) the string of wrong guys that has come through my life. She will be inaugurating me into the "WifeBuddy Club"

Mary “I ate too much” Chang: HotMary, great roommate. Who else is going to cook a feast with me at 11pm? Mary and I used to study for “sex class” together in college with hideyo (who now happens to be Alinna’s husband!). Through MCATs and public health school to being epidemiologists together, we have had lots of parallel adventures. Mary can eat. She likes salty food and sexy shoes. She’s leaving our house soon, breaking up with us and abandoning us. But, we’ll forgive her….someday.

Karen “Exact same taste” Chiu: Karen and I have the exact same taste. Give us a menu with 100+ choices, and we’ll pick the same one. Give us a wall with different papers, we’ll pick the same one. We have the same watch, the same earrings. It’s frightening. Beyond that, this girl loves sports like few girls do. She can talk football with the best of them. Karen has been a consistent play buddy and friend over the past fifteen years.

Beverly “What are you eating?” Freeman: Bev loves to share food with her friends. Food is love. Bev has taught me the art of asking questions. She also has managed to trick me into running a half marathon. Bev is a friend who laughs when you laugh and cries when you cry. She’ll take pictures of everything, but you may never see them. Bev greets me every morning on IM with a hug. What better way is there to start the day than a hug from a friend?

Janet “COFFEE!!!!” Wu: Nettie spaghetti. Roomie and life buddy. Janet and I used to have the same piano teacher when we were kids. Through college, weekly phone calls when we were in different states, and now sleeping 15 feet from one another, our friendship has grown and changed as we have. But, this girl can bring life to a party, entertain you with a long, drawn-out story, and can seriously climb anything.

Guys, guys
I realized that I only have two close guy friends who I see and hang out with consistently. It’s an honor for me to have them in my life!

Allen “It’s all love” Lo: This guy can dish it like no one else. And he can take it too. Reminding me to wrap myself in bubble wrap so I don’t hurt myself before the wedding, he’s always trying to take care of me. Always a gentleman (well, sometimes a dog), he’s crazy caring. Allen shares my love of The West Wing and witty banter. Allen’s always up for an adventure: climbing mountains, getting lost in the woods, and trespassing through construction sites.

Long “S-Scandal” Vo: Long is one of the most sincere and genuine people I know. Always up for going out, he keeps the drinks coming. But, get this guy talking, and he will listen patiently and share willingly. Long likes to laugh and likes making others laugh. Ask him to impersonate things that he sees, and you’ll be laughing about it for hours. Godzilla baby!

The one and only
Jason “I got you, babe” Ho: What can I say about the guy that won my heart and my hand! He complements me so well, giving me perspective and steadiness. Always up for hanging out, taking walks, wandering around the city, he’s a perfect playmate, companion and my best friend. Strong yet gentle, brave without bravado, he’s such a good man!!! I can’t wait to be married to him!

Everyone else, showing you some love
There are so many other friends, but I need to get to work! Thank you all for being family to me.