10.5.14
NOTHING [WILL BE] THE SAME
The Bridesmaids
Maid of Honor Matron of Honor Matron of Honor
Temi Nabulungi Yakini
Bridesmaid Bridesmaid Bridesmaid
Corinne Jade Monique
Bridesmaid Bridesmaid
Courtney Bika
The Groomsmen
Best Man Groomsman Groomsman
Al Kofi Adrian
Groomsman Groomsman Groomsman
Jeffrey Jonathan Chris
Groomsman
Roderic
My ride-or-die and my heart since our law school days, Temi is that fun, adventurous, supportive friend I can ALWAYS count on to talk to, party with, dance with, travel with, vent to, cry to, or laugh with at the drop of a dime. Our upbringings are crazily similar (4 siblings, each having African names, and raised with Afrocentric backgrounds) -- I mean, we were always just meant to be. I've also been tempted to follow her to every city she's moved to, because life is just more fun when she is around. Drama free and full of love, she's the friend every girl wants in her corner.
Rinne and I go waaaay back to our Spelman and Mahogany-N-Motion (and "Ahogany-N-Otion"!) days. We started out as sisters by circumstance, but later became sisters by choice, and we've learned that nothing can ever come between that. Corinne is that friend who is consistent, dependable, and loyal -- and is lowkey the most hilarious bite-sized beauty you will ever meet. If you see her at the wedding, she will either be backing it up on the dance floor, or engaged in a super "deep" conversation in the corner somewhere (HA -- just watch!). Couldn't ask for a better adopted sister.
Affectionately known as "Hater Jade" (yes she hates that name), Jade is easily one of the most sensitive and giving persons I know. I first met Jade the night we both took the LSAT and I remember cracking up at everything she said -- and I haven't stopped laughing with her since. Jade was also one of the first of my friends to meet/know/love Fabian and she was nothing but absolutely supportive when I randomly texted her "this man you never heard of is coming to visit me and I'll probably marry him" (true story). Plus, with her (and Fabian) being an Aries, and me being a Sagittarius, that Sagi-Aries love is oh so strong.
Nabu is my oldest sister and the outspoken Queen B of the sisterhood. Though we tease her for being adopted (seriously, why do you have slitted green eyes?), she is very much the care-giver and ultimate big sister. I have a track-record of following in her footsteps -- being a cheerleader, winning prom queen, going to Spelman, learning to booty shake and grab them ankles (you know, all the important stuff). When I moved to LA, Nabu was my ROCK on the west coast and our relationship bond grew beyond anything I could imagine. We love hard and we fight hard, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Monique has been my boo since we first became law firm summer associates back in summer 2008. We hit it off instantly (clearly, the Sagittarius connection), and stayed close throughout the remainder of our law school experience and as colleagues in Big Law. Nothing compares to being able to go to work with one of my closest friends -- I'm forever spoiled and am still in withdrawal (I miss you Mo!!). She is genuine, straight-up, and sincere and has always made me feel comfortable confiding in her about anything because I know she will listen with compassion and without judgment. Her only character flaw is loving Kobe/the Lakers -- but because she introduced me to The Wire, I'm able to overlook that and love her deeply.
Bika, my beautiful, big-eyed, effervescent little sister -- I am so thankful that Fabian secretly made that trip to DC to ask you (and our parents) for my hand in marriage, and that you and Fabian had begun to develop a relationship (sharing many laughs over those ratchet Catfish episodes!). You may no longer be with me in the physical form, but I can FEEL you with me every single day, and I know you will be right there with me on my wedding day. I always think about what dress you would pick for me, or how you would suggest I'd wear my hair -- and I know in my heart we'd be on the same page (since we were obviously the "hip" ones in the family, duh!). When I walk down that aisle, I know you'll be looking down, smiling right at me, and I'm going to be looking up and smiling right back at you. #BertandErnie I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!
With Caribbean bloodlines, this North Bronx-raised, Boarding School refined, Cornell educated, Law School graduated, Alpha Man has been the Groom’s ABC since short pants days in spite of their divergent backgrounds. Adrian holds the honor of being the first person to advise the Groom to make things official with the Bride, just mere days after advising the Groom that his trip to LA could backfire. This type of support can always be counted on from Adrian and all he asks in return is that the Groom keep providing him with fashion advice.
The Groom’s brother Jeffrey is his large eared protégé and the only person whose answer to the question “What do you think of her?” ever really mattered. The Cain to the Groom’s Abel, the Loki to the Groom’s Thor, the Juggernaut to the Groom’s Professor X, Jeffrey has managed to overcome his troubled youth and fashion a decent life for himself. While many doubted Jeffrey, the Groom always believed he would overcome and Jeffrey has always repaid the Groom’s belief with sage advice beyond his years.
Posted. The Groom's law school partner in crime, it's difficult to quantify just how ill-advised the decision-making these two displayed from August 2008-May 2011 was. To JO's credit, he was always a fervent supporter of the Groom taking a more active role in making his Sibo Dream a Reality.
Imagine, if you will, that Paul George was a lawyer who dabbled in pick up basketball, now, take away his defensive intensity and most of his shot-making ability, but give him Antoine Walker’s shot selection, and you have Chris Lamar. In many ways, it was Chris’ persistent…words of encouragement that served as the motivational fuel for the fire the Groom held for the Bride, culminating in that magical March weekend. Would there be a Michael Jordan without a Clifton Herring?
The Groom’s longest living nemesis, Roderic is like the brother the Groom never wanted but was forced to have due to the fact that Roderic’s mother insisted on copying her sister and making Roderic go to all of the same schools the Groom went to and wear all of the same clothes the Groom painstakingly selected from the finest TJ Maxx’s the North Bronx had to offer. As children, their relationship was strained by Roderic’s inability to utilize his impressive height and athletic build to overcome Groom’s incredible strength and fighting knowledge developed from hours spent watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Power Rangers and WWF. Despite what one may expect from a man with unnervingly bushy eyebrows, Fabian has come to depend on Roderic for timely advice in the face of harrowing technological emergencies such as “How do I edit an audio file?” and “What kind of Macbook should I buy?” and their relationship is now one of begrudging mutual respect.
87% of what the Groom knows about women he learned at the age of 14 while sitting in Kofi’s room playing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 and listening to Kofi’s 3-5 hour phone conversations with his girlfriend. This wasn’t necessarily a good thing, but beggars can’t be choosers and, it took a little while, but eventually everything worked itself out.
Hailing from Upper Manhattan, Alaba Hakeem "Dream Shake" Olajuwon Odedosu has long prided himself on having The World’s Best Skin. Befitting a man who sailed through puberty acne free, Alaba is a smooth operator, renowned for his talent for dealing with Customer Service representatives, which was honed during his time on the other side of the fence as a 5-time Employee of the Month at the FootAction in Bay Plaza. Though he may not admit it now, Alaba had his initial doubts about FaboSibo, but never let that get in the way of lending invaluable expertise to the Groom’s numerous dealings with travel agents that are a necessary function of a bi-coastal relationship involving two attorneys on unpredictable schedules.
The fashionista of the crew, Courtney is a splash of fiesty and a burst of fierceness -- all packaged in a cute, petite frame. We repped the Abby dorm our freshmen year at Spelman (Abby Psi Phi--what what!), walked the Morehouse fashion shows like we were America's next top short models, threw the best joint-Sagittarius birthday party (yes, another Sagittarius, we're so awesome), and traveled together to the DR to create memories and quotables that will last a lifetime. Courtney's warm spirit is contagious and she is always willing to see the best in someone, regardless of what others think. With a heart of gold, she is the one you'll always want in your corner.
My second oldest sister is without a doubt the "girly girl" of the family, but behind all of the pink and the Barbies (yes, real Barbies!), her calming spirit and voice of reason has always given me comfort in every single relationship trial and tribulation I've ever experienced. She is the person I can sit and watch hours and hours of Sex and the City, Girlfriends, Housewives, or any other trashy/girly movie/show with, and it will never get old -- ever! We both love a happily-ever-after ending, and I know she is rooting for my and Fabian's love as much as we are.
