Merrill is Mica's first cousin, though she may as well be her sister. Merrill, seven months older, was so in awe of Mica when she was born that she insisted on petting her head, despite their moms telling her to be gentle with the newborn. The two grew up together as the most imaginative play pals, road trip buddies, and co-campers each summer.
Thankfully, after Merrill and her husband, John, were married this past summer, his medical residency allowed them a move from Montana back to California! They now live in Sacramento and Mica couldn't be more excited for the chance to grow their families alongside each other, and replicate the way the two of them were raised together.
Gabi and Mica met sophomore year of high school, though their friendship subliminally started much earlier than that. Born in the SAME hospital in Marin County, on the SAME day - September 18th, 1990, they like to think their "birth" day was the day they really met. When Gabi and Mica were finally introduced for real at 15 and became best friends, they'd try to pass for twins - but Gabi's gorgeous Algerian features and Mica's freckles probably gave them away. Since Gabi moved from Washington back to the Bay Area in 2013, they've spent countless weekends doing art projects together, drinking martinis across Oakland, and most of all, laughing like crazy.
Anna and Mica have a friendship-love story for the books. Volleyball brought them on the same club team at 14, but they spent the first few years avoiding a friendship for no good reason. Finally, a party senior year of high school made them instantly inseparable. They'd come home from different high schools each day to hang, spend nights out in San Francisco with city friends, and play much too much beer pong in Mica's garage.
Heading to universities across coasts from one another was tougher than some breakups, but moving in to their first post-college home together in San Francisco made everything right again. That was 2012, and after five years of living together Anna and Mica tearfully moved out. No matter how professional their lives become, their weird faces and inside jokes will live on through adulthood.
Becoming friends during their high school years, Nadan and Sanjin experienced many firsts together. Attending school dances and going to Yugoslavian concerts and “shminka” parties together remind them of some pivotal life moments. The two share a similar Bosnian and Herzegovinian background and upbringing that allows them to understand each other’s trials, tribulations, and successes like none other. Every time Sanjin and Nadan see each other they're able to pick up right where they left off - with Nadan bombarding Sanjin with questions about marriage and now kids, since Sanjin's second was just born. Conversation is always interspersed with jokes that are made 10x funnier when delivered in their mother language .
In high school, Nadan started making fun of Mahad for his skinny legs, but quickly fell in love with his big heart. The two have been like brothers ever since. They share a common understanding of the importance of family and brotherhood, which has led to an unbreakable bond over the years. They have never let distance come between their friendship and Nadan knows he can always rely on Mahad in a time of need, or just to share some words on the Toronto Raptors' championship aspirations. FaceTime and frequent visits to The Bay keep their friendship ever-evolving and always growing for the better.
Like his twin brother Mahad, Marwan's first introduction to Nadan was as he was making fun of him. In their case, it was because of Marwan's constant romanticizing of good food. But it was their appetite for a great time that brought them to an unbreakable friendship. Together, Marwan and Nadan share countless memories from their time at Western University, studying at the library and turning up at Ceeps bar on Richmond Row. Regardless of the situation, Nadan knows he can count on Marwan for endless laughs, an adventurous meal, and to be a brother for life.
Sergei and Nadan were introduced by Kenan H-T when Nadan became a new student at their high school. He found himself spending every other day at Sergei's house on Trossacks Avenue where the two experienced memories to last a lifetime. They built on their friendship when they both ended up living in Alberta at the same time. It was there that Sergei became Nadan's primary confidant and right-hand man as he made his way through his first grown-up job and living away from home. They still love getting together for golfing, skiing, boating and a beer at the cottage in summertime.
Nadan met Mo through Mahad and Marwan in 2012 and quickly realized how much they had in common. The two share the same interest in music, sports, fashion, and incredible food. They have a rolodex of Toronto memories from attending Raptor games to summer day parties on Queen Street. Even just sitting on the couch 'politicking' about life is a good time with them. Though they've lived far from one another for some time now, Nadan and Mo still spend countless hours on FaceTime indulging in their common interests, goals and aspirations, and curiosity about what the future holds.
Though he shares a name with Nadan's brother, this Kenan brought a completely different element into Nadan’s life when the two met at the age of 8 and 10 in their NE London neighborhood. Kenan served as a big brother figure in Nadan’s life, always having his back in a sticky situation and being a pillar he could always lean on. They carried their friendship effortlessly through childhood, into high school, and now it's stronger than ever in their adult lives. Laughter and an unforgettable time are a guarantee when the two get together. If you're around them, being a bystander to an inside joke that dates back over 10 years is inescapable.
