Alyssa and I have been best friends since the day I was born. She was always the one I looked up to because she was my protector, confidant, and the person I could laugh with about anything! I admire her accomplishments so much, and the ones that have stuck with me the most was her trips to India and Indonesia. She was so brave and determined to do what her heart desired! Even though she was across the world, she still had time to FaceTime me every day so that we could talk and laugh about it all.
My favorite memory of Alyssa, was when my son was just two months old and she surprised us by coming home from Indonesia for a surprise visit. The amount of love and tears we shared will always remind me just how special Alyssa is to me. To this day, Alyssa is someone I look up to and I know that will never change. Alyssa you deserve everything good in this world, and you deserve to be as happy as possible! My heart is happy because I know you’re happy! Congratulations to my big sissy on this special milestone in her life! I love you!
Hello!! Bekah here, wow I feel like there is so much that I can say about this girl and how much she means to me. The memories, the different seasons, the celebrations, and the tears. I feel like I’ve been through it all with this one.
A couple memories I want to highlight about our relationship was January of 2016 when I visited this girl in Indonesia while she was a missionary there. She thought I was joking when I said I would come (apparently many people said that), but I was one of the ones who actually did! And I loved it, I spent over 10 hours on a flight to spend about 48 hours with this girl only to have my flight canceled (because y’all small airports are janky in foreign countries) and almost panicking that I was going to be left in Indonesia for days. Mind you, I LOVED seeing Alyssa after a year of her being gone but I was not made for that missionary life. In two days, I took a shower with a bucket, found a roach right next to my bed, was sweating at all hours of the day, and had mosquito bite all over my body. Let’s just say it was not a pleasant experience. BUT it was worth it to see her and I still laugh at that hot mess of two days today.
Alyssa, I'd fly there again for two days just to see you, that’s how much I love you.
So thankful for this woman, her consistency in friendship, and her servant heart. So glad to stand by your side babe
My name is Rachel. I go by Rae. I live in Northern California with my husband. I LOVE to create and empower people to live their best lives.
I met Alyssa while attending APU. I will never forget waiting in line for chapel doors to open and meeting this girl who was just talking about switching her major from theater to global studies. Memories are endless with this one and that’s why she really has become a sister to me. But one memory that I will never forget is when she stayed the night (this was usual) at my sister and I’s apartment. One night, before knocking out for the night, she asked me to wake her up before I left for class. When morning came, I got up, got dressed, and was about to leave, I tapped Alyssa on the shoulder, nothing, increased the pressure of the tap on her shoulder, nothing, shook her a few times, no response... well let’s just say I thought she was dead. I checked her pulse and everything.
After about 10 min of trying to wake her, she finally opened her eyes. I told her that I have been trying to wake up for so long and she said, “really? I didn’t feel or hear anything.” I was stunned at how deep this girl could sleep. Immovable and unable to disrupt to say the least.
My name is Jamira and I am a long time friend of Alyssa. I first met Alyssa in middle school, but it wasn’t until high school that our friendship grew closer; due to our mutual love for track and field. What I love about Alyssa is that she is loyal, dependable, trustworthy and has always been a supportive friend to me.
One of the moments that I will always cherish in our friendship, is when she traveled all the way from LA to Antioch to be there with me in the delivery room as I was in labor with my son. She was praying for me and my baby and constantly making sure that we were okay. It means a lot when you have a good friend that continuously supports you, prays for you and loves you and your child unconditionally. I consider Alyssa to be one of my best friends and also the godmother to my son, Kaiden. I am so honored to have been chosen to stand with her on the big day. I wish you, Alyssa and Eric, a life long of love and happiness. I love you so much. Cheers!
Hey hey! What up fam :) my name is Shalini Danielson. I’m 1/2 Mexican and 1/2 Indian I love to spend time with my husband, cook, sports, go on adventures, and sing to the heart of my maker. I met Alyssa in College at APU; and when I first met her, she had just come back from living oversees. She has an incredible heart, and from that day forward (for those who didn’t know her) I nicknamed her the “peace corps” because she was always somewhere around the world. Alyssa is literally the best listener and incredible helper. Love you beautiful soul!!!
Hello everyone! My name is Erica Lidia Bear. I teach music at a private middle school, I love leading worship, I work with my husband in youth ministry and more importantly… I have been friends with Alyssa for 7 years! ;] Alyssa and I first met while we were both attending Azusa Pacific University. Some of my favorite memories with Alyssa are when we went on a mission trip through Mexico Outreach together, when we ran an anti-human trafficking 5k in Azusa, and when we were bridesmaids in some of our best friends’ weddings together. I was also blessed to have Alyssa as a bridesmaid in my wedding 2 years ago, and I am overjoyed to be celebrating with her and Eric this year. Alyssa is loyal, beautiful, joyful, and a wonderful friend. She truly deserves an awesome man of God and someone who will love her well, and I thank God she has found that in Eric. Congratulations to the happy couple!
Hi! I’m Teresa Cho, an AlhamBAE engaged to one of the AlhamBROs (which is what EBJ’s roomies call themselves) and a lucky gal to be Alyssa’s good friend from Epicentre Church. I met Alyssa through EBJ actually, and while my fiancé Bruce and EBJ have had their bromance going on, my friendship with Alyssa has blossomed into our own sisterhood. I’m an Enneagram Type 9 (Peacemaker), who happens to get along really well with Alyssa’s personality Type 2 (Helper).
My favorite memories of us have to be our gym dates where she kicks my butt in every exercise and I try to keep up! Seriously, this woman is a B-E-A-S-T. Alyssa has been a friend who makes you feel cherished and loved right from the start and I’m so thankful for the honesty, vulnerability, encouragement, and championing we’ve shared. I’m so incredibly happy and honored to witness this union between my dear friends and standup couple!
Hey everybody! I’m Blake, I’m an emergency room nurse, but please don’t show me your rashes, I’m not working today.
Eric has had the honor of having me as a best friend for the past eight years, since we started at APU together. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more unlikely friendship, but since the beginning he’s been the pepper to my salt, and the chocolate to my vanilla!
Through the years, Eric has shown me what a true friend looks like. He’s been by my side through good decisions, like the night I proposed to my wife; and poor decisions, like when we decided to try and both ride my mini skateboard, at the same time. We’ve had more laughs than I can count, maybe a tear or two, and a lot of singing (mostly solos by him, since he never lets me join in).
So in the lyrics of Stephen Sondheim, “Here’s to us! Who’s like us? Damn few!”
I’m a born and raised Portlander, though I spent 10 years away before moving back a few years ago. I went to Azusa Pacific University, where I met Eric in Men’s Chorale, in 2013, and studied Bible. After college I moved abroad to Bangkok, Thailand and did community development work for a couple years.
As I mentioned, Eric and I met during our time in Men’s Chorale (a.k.a. “Man Choir”) at APU. He was (and is) a warm and loving friend, bringing joy to everyone around him. One of my favorite memories with Eric was the summer of 2015, when he visited the Pacific Northwest for the first time. From my parents’ place in Eastern Washington, to Seattle, to Vancouver B.C., and finally, to Portland, we drove all over the region. Not an hour into our trip to Seattle we got a flat tire, but fortunately my stepdad was working nearby and helped us out. In Vancouver, we met new friends and had some of the best sushi we’ve ever had. Portland was a fantastic last stop, as we managed to see other friends of Eric’s and mutual ones. I’ll never forget how amazing that trip was!
Eric, I’m so proud of you and couldn’t be more happy to support you and Alyssa in this next step of your journey. You have all my love and support and I’m excited to be a part of your wedding day! I love you both!
I am a Brother who's crazy about God, and loves people. I was born in West Philadelphia and on the playground is where I spent most of my days. I was chilling and relaxing all cool, and out shooting some B-ball outside of the school. A couple of guys were up to no good, and started making trouble in his neighborhood. I got in one little fight and my mom got scared and said, “you’re moving with your auntie and uncle in Bel-Air.” This is how I ended up in Southern CA. You can finish the rest of this story.
Eric and I met briefly at Azusa Pacific University (APU). We later reconnected at Banana Republic over our love of fashion. Eric and I are both connoisseur’s of trendy cafés. Some of my funniest/fondest memories with Eric are when we'd meet up a trendy new coffee shop and enjoy quality community/fellowship together.
I'm Erik... but not the Eric you're here for. I was born in California but raised in Texas. I love Jesus, I have an awesome wife, I'm mac n' cheese's #1 fan, and about 1/4 of my time is spent googling obscure facts. Eric was my FIRST FRIEND when I moved back to LA. It can’t go unmentioned that he introduced me to Lucky Boy breakfast burritos—changed my life. After leaving behind friends in Texas, he became someone I always knew was there. Someone I knew I could depend on.
Last fall, I was lightly looking for a new car when EBJ told me his friend was selling an old sports car for cheap. I was spellbound by the allure of a two-seat sports car and heavily downplayed my inability to drive stick. EBJ came along for the test drive and folded himself into the basically-non-existent backseat. Everything was fine until I stalled out on a monstrous hill and took my walk of shame back into the passenger seat. He stood faithfully by my side as I gathered shreds of my pride from the floor.
Last spring, EBJ did me the honor of standing beside me as my groomsman. Now I’m honored to finally get to do the same for him and Alyssa!
My name is Aaron and I'm a teacher, so Eric and I have that in common! Eric and I met at Epicentre Church. He came up and introduced himself since we were basically 2 of the only Black men at the church at that time. We started playing music together on the worship team and that slowly blossomed into a mentoring relationship, and then a friendship. While we've only known each other for almost 4 years, our friendship is deep and fun.
One of my favorite memories with Eric is going to a Liz Vice concert with him, Alyssa and a couple of other friends. He ended up singing on stage with Liz Vice! If anything describes Eric's personality, it's certainly that moment. It's such an honor to celebrate Eric and Alyssa's love!
Hey-o! I’m Bruce Kim, an honored-to-be AlhamBRO superbly honored to be engaged to one of the AlhamBAES (what us AlhamBROS call our wonderful ladies) who is super duper honored for EBJ to choose me as one of his groomsmen. But for real though, I am #verysuperhonored. "Wait...did you just use a hashtag in a wedding party bio, Bruce? And do you really feel that honored?" Yes. 100% yes. To both.
Rewind to August 2018, when EBJ and I had our first contact, I was DESperately looking for some housemates who went to church. Even if going to church was simply to keep up appearances, hey, that counted for something, right? EBJ, I was told, was Christian (and is still is) and apparently a cool guy so I was sold. At the time, I was like a shelter dog simply in search of a place to call home, so, It didn't matter if my housemates were great owners/guys. I just wanted a place where no one was going to steal my food and I could feel safe in bed at night. Like I said, I was just looking for "some housemates." I reached out to EBJ via FB Messenger and eagerly awaited his response.
Since he chose me to be a groomsman, you'd expect him to have responded glowingly and instantaneously, right? Well, the reality was that he ignored my message because I seemed like I was strange due to my online presence. I don't know what gave him that impression. Was it my strange FB photos, IG photos, or strange YouTube/Vimeo videos? Anyway, he admitted to this much later. Which, my fiancée (shoutout to my beloved Teresa!!!) also thought I was strange upon viewing my social media content (@thebrucekim if you're intrigued). Also, also, EBJ is basically responsible for me getting hitched so I have to give him credit for that.
The moral of the story? If you want to find a future rest-of-your-life friend or the love of your life, maybe you should give that strange person reaching out to you a shot. Maybe. Well, I'll stop writing entertaining things to express why I'm grateful EBJ did give me that shot because I'm about to reach the max word count.
What started off as simply being housemates became: • getting to know a man of God who pushes me like no one else into the man God I have been made me to be • a friend who truly cares for me (and SO many others) that he's willing to do and say the hard, honest things • a brother I'm honored to call my future groomsman, too • someone I'm going to really miss shouting "Hi!' to the moment he arrives at the home • a decent amount of back rubs and scratchings and long hugs (which, I bequeath this to you, Alyssa)
EBJ and Alyssa, I am so blessed to stand with you (however it looks!) on your wedding day to witness two becoming one. I love you!
I was born and raised in La Canada, and love traveling, cooking, and coffee! I even worked as a barista for three years!
Eric and I first met in 2017, at a young adult church event, where he just walked up to me, holding someone else's baby, and asked me out on a coffee date. Well, a bro date. Since then, we've hung out even more, prayed for each other, and even went to Indonesia together; where the durian (we believe) wrecked both our bodies. Our beds and bathrooms became our new best friends for the next week, along with the air conditioning in our hotel rooms. However, despite the fever, the copious amount of water we had to drink, and the daily vitamins we had to take, our shared suffering brought us closer together as brothers that no other way could have. Thankfully, no long term effects have lasted since then, except for the painful memories and the strengthening of bonds.
I grew up in South Pasadena with dreams of being the first Asian American in modern history to make the NBA. But when I never grew past 6 feet, that dream quickly ended. Thankfully God had better plans for me and called me into ministry as a young adult. I have been a pastor at Epicentre for 6 years now!
I met EBJ at church, and we actually ended up hanging out and grabbing lunch for the first time on my birthday. EBJ had no idea, but once he found out, he insisted on taking me to his favorite cafe in Old Town Pasadena (Cafe 86) and treated me to an ube dessert.
I met Alyssa a few years later when EBJ brought a "friend from college" to lifegroup. Although he insisted they were just friends, I could read the writing on the wall and knew it was only a matter of time before the two fell for each other.
It's been remarkable to me to watch the two of them work through obstacles and difficulties together. There were so many moments that could have pulled them apart. But each time, they've stayed committed to each other, and to pursue God in the midst of all of it. I can say with confidence that they've grown as a result of each other and this relationship. I'm proud of who they are and who they're becoming, and grateful for this opportunity to continue to walk with them through this major life milestone!