Cynthia and Gricelda met in the UCR college dorms (A-I!) circa 2002!! Hahahaha. OMgosh. Cynthia lived across the hall from Gricelda and Carla. They used to download a lot of music (and viruses) on Napster, play it loudly, and sing & dance in the hallway dorms. About every other song, Cynthia would iconically yell out, "That's my JAM!" Cynthia introduced Gricelda to some real old school R&B but also some great 80s songs. Burning CDs for each other was THE thing! There was great joy in playing CDs on Gricelda's small blue boombox. Gricelda also liked to occasionally stop by Cynthia's dorm to watch Friends on repeat and it continued well into junior and senior years of college when they were roommates. Cynthia and Gricelda even became cat moms to Smokey who is still very much alive (he turns 18 in May). After college graduation in the summer of 2006, a very long custody battle ensued for Smokey. Cynthia has been part of so many of Gricelda's best memories - and it's only fitting she will join Gricelda as a bridesmaid on her wedding.
Vero was Gricelda's RA in the UCR college dorms circa 2002. As a staff member and mentor, Vero helped create a supportive and safe environment for students at UCR. Vero showed Gricelda, Cynthia and Carla the way...where the parties were at, what time they started, dress code, the pre and after party and the challenges of a brutal hangover the next day. A beautiful soul with a contagious laughter, she held the key to unlocking "fun" in college. Although college was a blast - they had to grow up sometime and Vero continued to mentor Gricelda - navigating moving back with the parents, leasing cars, first out of college low paying jobs and oh- yeah the 21 and over clubs in the El Monte area. And now our thirties, which has drastically changed to advice about home projects, marriage, motherhood and the occasional what to watch on netflix - the planning to get together but not getting together, haha. However, far or close - Gricelda will always be able to pick up with Vero as if they were still at UCR- true friends por vida. Gricelda can't imagine her special day without Vero standing by her side - and continuing to show her the way.. LOL
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Maurice "Mo Money" Long and Ryan have known each other since elementary school, Diamond Bar! Maurice is the much older brother to Michael. Mo's trademark dance move is sliding on his knees.
Mannu "Mp" Singh and Ryan have known each other since elementary school, Diamond Bar! Mannu and Ryan share an appreciation for tasting sessions of fine alcohol.
Adam and Ryan have known each other since elementary school, Diamond Bar! Adam is another one of the die hard Lakers fans in the group. Adam works in Construction and loves to talk about the physical nature of his job.
Kevin "Bean" Kim and Ryan have known each other since High School. Kevin and Ryan were the former "Black Sheep" of the Diamond Bar group, but both of them have become reformed upstanding citizens.
Ryan's mom. Aka "Syndee". After Ryan's father passed when Ryan was just three years old, this mother of four became the ultimate super mom. Syndee is super resourceful and the love for her children is unconditional. If you see her at the wedding, she would love to have a conversation with you, Syndee is super outgoing.