Azhar and Alkesh’s rich history began in the halls of Webb Bridge Middle School, where two blossoming pre-teen children bonded over little league baseball, a slightly immature sense of humor, and a shared passion for 2000’s heartbreak R&B music, which included (and still does) an intense case of Bieber Fever. After middle school, their newfound friendship faced its share of adversity, as distance separated them through high school, college, and post-grad life. Nevertheless, their friendship not only endured, but prospered (supported by excessive FaceTime calls and boys’ trips), and ultimately reached pinnacle “brother from another mother” status. After countless sleepovers, annual Super Bowl parties and Thanksgiving celebrations, late-night Steak n’ Shake runs, and a frequent barrage of injuries sustained while playing basketball together (refer to Azhar’s nose and Alkesh’s shoulders), Azhar is honored to serve as Alkesh’s Best Man as he and Gurkiran embark on this beautiful journey of love.
I first met Alkesh our freshman year at a event he was DJ’ing for his fraternity at VT. After meeting him and getting to know him, we went on to being close friends, roommates at college, and we living near each other in Northern Virginia post graduation. Having known him for almost a decade, we have many exciting, crazy, and emotional experiences together. However, nothing will top all the nights we had at his Arlington apartment playing COD, watching youtube, and catching up on life.
I first met Alkesh in 8th grade when we had a couple classes together and we became extremely close throughout high school. What started out as playing ball wars or hide and seek eventually turned into going to prom and getting through Mr. Wellnitz’s or Mrs. Howell’s class. Even though we went to different Techs, our friendship only grew stronger as we made sure to hang out as much as possible during our breaks. Alkesh’s love for Lebron and Bieber is eternal and he always knows where the great food spots are. Looking back at us scrawny middle schoolers, none of our friend group could have ever imagined Alkesh being the first to get married, but he found someone amazing in Gurkiran.
I had the pleasure of meeting Alkesh my freshman year at GTech through mutual friends. After "discussing academics and partaking in multiple extracurricular activities" through our parallel college stints, our friendship has strengthened to what it is today. I've been fortunate enough to stay at his place in Alpharetta, meet his lovely family, and visit him multiple times at Virginia Tech. While there are too many memories to list, one of my fondest memories is one that should have never taken place. It was 1:30 at night and I distinctly remember getting up to go use the restroom in my apartment in NY. I swear Alkesh was somehow tracking my movements because I just happened to get a group facetime between him and Azhar. Here's how the conversation went: "Yo Azhar's driving up from Georgia to stay the week, you should def catch a bus here and crash too" ... "Dude it's 1:30 at night" ... "Duuuuuuudeeeee just sleep on the bus and work from home here" ... 5 min later, after looking at the Megabus website "bet, see you in DC" :)
VT. TOTS.
My fondest memory with Alkesh is when I helped him move out of his apartment in Blacksburg. We were both in Atlanta when he had asked if I wanted to drive up with him to Blacksburg to help him move out. Through his usual persuasive methods, he was able to convince me to drive up there (6 hour drive), move him out, and return back the very next day - total time in Blacksburg being less than 24 hours. His only motive for inviting me on this trip was to split the drive and help clean his old apartment :) Throughout this trip, we enjoyed several deep conversations, great food, multiple laughs, and pure intimate bonding. Oh, and I finally was able to visit Blacksburg for the first and last time.
I have known Alkesh since 2012 which was our freshman year of undergrad at Virginia Tech. He has always been someone who remains optimistic in the most dire situation. His joyful personality serves as a breath of refreshing air even in the most serious moments. Alkesh and I share several fond memories but one memory that still remains resounding is my first encounter with him. He introduced himself as "Hey, whats up bro? I am Alkesh. I have a DD for the party tonight". From that day till now, he has revealed his personality as someone who remains inclusive. I have enjoyed all of the moments we have shared since we first met and I am honored to be part of this new chapter in his life.
I lived right next to West End Dining Hall at Virginia Tech and Alkesh used to be there a lot, so we became friends.
We decided to go together for a job fair at Tech by taking a bus from Maple Ridge. Halfway through the journey, he realized that he forgot to bring his résumés!! To a job fair?!? Safe to say, he did not get the job that day.
Alkesh and I met at Webb Bridge Middle School when we were both in 6th grade. My first memory of Alkesh was when in math class, I didn't know anyone because I was new to the school, and felt uncomfortable and shy. I remember while most people ignored me, Alkesh came forward introduced himself and asked if we wanted to be friends. I immediately felt a connection, and knew there was something special. From that day onward, we created countless memories together -- from making silly rap songs to sleepovers to traveling together to Thailand for our senior trip. Alkesh has a pure heart, is always reliable, and is incredibly funny.
Keesh & I were roommates freshman year at Virginia Tech and our friendship started and grew from there on. We've had plenty of memories together but one that stands out on this special occasion is our first Thursday in college when he came back completely sober from a party and we made it to our 8am Chemistry class the next day.
I met Tipu through mutual friends (Akrit) in VT during our undergrad years. Fond memories of being Tipu's cooking teacher in Arlington while I learned how to use a PS4!
Alkesh and I met in high school, and I've had the privilege of being his friend for 12 years. Some of the fondest memories I have with him are when we've travelled together to visit each other (and new places!) over the years. As someone who moved far across the world, Alkesh treated me as family and solidified our friendship for decades to come. He is one of the most generous and caring individuals that I've come to know. I'm excited to see what the future holds for him and Gurkiran, a couple truly meant for each other!
As Gurkiran’s little sister, I have many fond memories with her. Growing up, despite our 9 year age gap, Gurkiran was the coolest sister ever! She always made me feel involved with her friends even if I was just a little kid. We went from chasing each other around the house to Gurkiran being accepted at VT to Gurkiran buying her own house a couple years later. Seeing Gurkiran cross these major milestones has made me so proud as a little sister. Not only did she cross these milestones, but she always made sure to give me advice in anything that I do, so that I can follow. Gurkiran is my lifeline, my ROD, my everything because without her I don’t know anyone else I’d rather go on food tours with!
Alkesh, mine, and Gurkiran’s weekly adventures and love for food tours will forever be a favorite memory of mine. Alkesh, thank you for willingly listening to Nardo Wick with me and letting me tell you all about my college adventures. Even though you’ve always had this place in my heart, I can’t wait to officially call you my big brother. I love you both so much!
Gurks and I met in 8th grade and have basically been attached at the hip since then. We have experienced every major milestone in life together from high school to college to our careers. We also got engaged in the same year! I am so grateful for our friendship, the memories we have made and I am so excited for what’s to come in the future!
My most fond memory with Kiran would definitely be how we spent time together back in undergrad at Virginia Tech! We would plan a sleepover at my apartment every so often which always involved me picking Kiran up in her dorm, then picking up our favorite take out and coming back to the apartment and staying up way too late just talking! Sometimes we would attempt to go grocery shopping and make a new recipe instead which we also had the best time doing as well!
Now as adults, we somehow always end up planning a fun day that involves shopping at Tysons, eating dinner (because if you know Kiran, you know she’s always always excited about really good food) and again talking and catching up on life!
Over the last 10+ years, Gurkiran and I have shared so many milestones of each others lives together. She is a role model, a best friend, and the best hype woman. My favorite memories together have been life conversations about anything and everything on our neighborhood walks, belly laughing at anything remotely funny, and being able to share major life moments together!
I met Gurkiran through Divya, a mutual friend of ours. There are so many stories that can be told, but one thing is for sure that Gurkiran is always down for anything. Whether it be hiking an hour to the Golden Gate Bridge on a whim, even when she was not feeling well or getting One Direction concert tickets just a few minutes before the show started. These are just a few of the amazing memories/ adventures to the many more to come!
Oh dear where do I start? Kiran was my roommate, is a dear friend, and will forever be a life long sister. My most fond memory of Gurkiran was actually my first ever interaction with her. As I was casually sitting in an SIA meeting being the only Afghan I was pretty much clung to laxmi/ harsha. As we were sitting gurkiran walked over with a little swag in her step and sat down next to us. Before saying anything else, she turned her head towards me and very cool and nonchalant asked "do you like to party". Why she assumed I was a party girl I'll never know, but I'll forever be grateful as that conversation led to our endless memories together and the greatest college experience.
I met Gurkiran through Divya, she must have been 15 and I 11 years old. A fond memory I have of Gurkiran would be her Dad driving her, my sister and I to a One Direction/Big Time Rush concert in 2010. The highlight of that night would definitely be the black eyeliner, patterned tank tops, black North Face jackets and low quality Blackberry pictures.
I’ve known Gurkiran since freshman year of college. Gurkiran fills up the whole room and is so fun and bubbly. One of my fondest memories with Gurkiran has been when we would have sleepovers in my dorm pretty much everyday of sophomore year and talk all night and watch shows together.
I met Gurkiran through my older sister and I am so happy we’ve created a beautiful friendship! A favorite memory of mine with Gurkiran is when she came back from college as a freshman and we were hanging out at our house and were laughing till we crying and just hearing all the stories from what felt like another older sister!
Gurks and I met through mutual friends in college. Can't seem to choose one memory since I have so many with her. I cherish having her as a fellow foodie for all the trips we take, so the best for sure was finding the best churros randomly while walking in Barcelona after trying all the recommended places!