Favorite Veena memory: Any creative homemade gift he received from Veena, including an array of artwork, self-portraits, and poems she made using her rhyming dictionary
Traits Veena definitely got from him: A love for art, self-discipline and a sense of humor
Favorite thing about Ramu: His winning attitude - whether it comes to cooking or playing baby shower games
Historical figure he most closely relates to: The Minimalist - only needing a few simple things to be happy
A piece of lasting advice Veena remembers from him: "Veena, we don't want you to be the cutest girl at UT, we want you to be the smartest." (Told to Veena many years ago when she racked up quite the credit card bill after shopping at the outlets in San Marcos).
Favorite memory Ramu has of his father: When Ramu was learning how to ride his bike without training wheels, his father took him the local park to the top of a small hill. Ramu was scared, but his Dad encouraged him to trust his abilities and not be afraid. Ramu successfully made it down the hill, but he wasn’t on his bike.
Traits Ramu definitely got from him: Book smarts & street smarts, gregariousness, loyal friend
Things he would have loved about Veena: She's able to handle Ramu and keeps him inline ... and she's a doctor
Pop culture figure he related to: Dan Connor from Roseanne
Quote Ramu remembers from him: "A man is measured not by how much he gets, but by how much he gives"
Involvement in wedding planning: 1000%
Favorite Veena memory: When Veena was 3 years-old she participated in her Beni Masi's Varadh by carrying small pots on her head and during the procession a fly kept landing on her face and she was trying to get rid of the fly while balancing the pots.
Traits Veena definitely got from her: Courageousness, Optimism and Fairness
Favorite thing about Ramu: He gets along with everyone, and his smile
Historical figure she relates to: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
You’ll always hear her say: "Mom is always right" and “Just broil it”
Favorite Ramu memory: When Ramu was presented his college scholarship award at his high school graduation, his first words into the microphone were, "Where's my mom, where's my mom? There she is - I'd like to first off thank my mom for everything she's done."
Traits Ramu definitely got from her: Kindness, compassion, smile
Favorite thing about Veena: Her personality - she's easy to talk to, friendly, and gets along well with everyone
Historical figure she relates to: Oprah Winfrey
You’ll always hear her say: “Okurrr!" (in Cardi B's voice) or "Thank the Lord" (not in Cardi B's voice)
Veena’s most annoying younger sibling moment: She'd always pick cheap characters and do cheap moves in video games and beat me (i.e. Sub-Zero)
Veena learned this from him: A deep appreciation for Star Wars, how to excel in Twisted Metal
Ramu will fit in well with the family because: He understands that the real MVP of the Patel family is Lolly
DJ song request: Cowboys from Hell – Pantera (headbanging ensues)
You’ll always hear him say: “Can't, I have a raid”
Ramu's most annoying younger sibling moment: When Ramu got lost in the crowd at a Girl Talk concert on New Year's Eve
Ramu learned this from him: How to procrastinate
Veena will fit in well with the family because: She is very adaptable, even in new and unfamiliar situations
DJ song request: 50 Cent - "In Da Club"
You’ll always hear him say: “I was listening to this podcast that said ...”
Song that always gets her tail waggin': AfroB - Drogba (Joanna)
Favorite playlist to nap to: "Jazz for Study" on Spotify
Current obsessions: Broccoli, squeaky sharks, and sitting really close to the space heater / sun
My Happy place: Backyard at my grandparent's (Ajit & Geeta) house watching squirrels
Pop culture figure's nervous energy she most relates to: C-3PO
Who’s that? Veena’s cousin or “friend” (depending on who you ask) and bff in the whole wide university!
What she brings to the bridal party: Super supportiveness, a great selection of herbal teas, in-depth knowledge of the cutest animal memes, a mutual love of Hello Kitty and Slipknot, and an appreciation for any song titled “Around the World”
Pop culture figure she most relates to: Kimmy Schmidt
Quotable quote: “FREEDOM FRIES….......whoooaaaaaaa”
Fun fact: Facebook says we’ve been to 20+ places together;) And believe it or not, Veena could have made this a lot weirder.
Who’s that? Veena’s bff from medical school and multi-state roommate
What she brings to the bridal party: Fantastic hair, loyalty loyalty loyalty, an ability to have full conversations with Veena through facial expressions alone
Pop culture figure she most relates to: Hermione Granger with a touch of Monica Gellar
Quotable quote: “What’s a Brewery?”
Fun fact: Shupi and Veena were roomies in Brooklyn in medical school and Shupi would listen to “Stereolove” by Edward Maya every morning for like a whole semester. Veena did not like that song.
Who’s that? Veena’s bff from residency in Houston and former neighbor
What she brings to the bridal party: Detective skills, being the best listener and problem solver, a mellow vibe, a mutual love of Bluebell and Nidda Thai
Pop culture figure she most relates to: Kim Kardashian
Quotable quote: “Is this the Thomas St Clinic?”
Fun fact: Veena once watched Prachi eat a whole “tour of Italy” at Olive Garden post-call
Who’s that? Veena’s bff since freshman year at Katy Taylor High School
What she brings to the bridal party: Great haggling skills, the best laugh, a well-traveled, non-Indian physician perspective on bridal party-ness, a love of billy goats
Pop culture figure she most relates to: Mayim Bialik
Quotable quote: “Hey are you guys here on Spring Break too?”
Fun fact: Veena and Analynn's go-to dance move is one they made up in high school. Don't worry, y'all will definitely see it on the dance floor!
Who’s that? One of Veena’s oldest Houston friends and newest Austin friends!
What she brings to the bridal party: A love of all games, loyalty loyalty loyalty, prosecco, the best sushi recommendations, and keeping it real no matter what!
Fun Fact: Sudeepta and Veena are neighbors in Austin!
Who’s that? Veena's Med school bff
What she brings to the bridal party: a sound voice of reason coated in a ditzy exterior, Latin fusion dance moves, early bird and night owl energy, a positive vibe that makes everything more fun and is always down to carb load!
Pop culture figure she most relates to: Samantha Jones
Quotable quote: “But you can call me Kiki”
Fun fact: Monique and Veena were co-valedictorians AND best friends at the same time! #twinning!
Who’s that? Veena’s former co-fellow and co-Chicago food and drink critic
What she brings to the bridal party: Amazing handwriting, a mutual hate of cold weather, sympathy pains, a strong stance on “anytime is naptime”, lots of snacks
Pop culture figure she most relates to: Pam Beesley
Quotable quote: “we NEVER get our first choice”
Fun fact: Josna (and her husband) went on Veena’s 3rd date with Ramu!
What she brings to the bridal party: More fantastic hair, lively dog mom energy, diversity, a camera roll full of Olive pics
Pop culture figure she most relates to: Zooey Deschanel
Quotable quote: “does he like Lolly now?”
Fun Fact: Veena and Emily have both lived in Richmond, Indiana and Veena can attest to the fact that Emily’s mom makes the best oreo pie!
Favorite memory with Ramu: Watching him graduate from college, then rush out to captain the Georgia Tech Ultimate Frisbee team to their first Nationals appearance in nearly 20 years
Where you'll find him at the wedding: Running around after his two daughters, Charlotte (5) and Violet (2)
Doppelgangers: Dr. Strange (Avengers) | Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars) | Gandalf (LoTR) | Dr. Bunsen Honeydew
Dish that represents him: Egg (mutta) dosa or HK1 Hủ Tiếu Xào Khô from Ha Long Bay next to them in Madison, WI
Hype song: Metallica - "Master of Puppets"
Favorite memory with Ramu: Evading mountain cows while on a hike through the Swiss Alps during their college study abroad trip through Europe
Where you'll find him at the wedding: Guarding Ramu's shoes to make sure Veena's side doesn't steal them
Doppelgangers: Captain America (Avengers) | Aragorn (LoTR) | Leia Organa (Star Wars) | George Clooney
Dish that represents him: Roasted brussel sprouts
Hype song: Kendrick Lamar - "DNA"
Where you'll find him at the wedding: Chatting it up with all the Aunties
Doppelgangers: Kramer (Seinfeld) | Chewbacca (Star Wars) | Star-Lord (Avengers) | Larry David
Dish that represents him: Seafood ravioli
Hype song: GRiZ & Big Gigantic - "Good Time Roll"
Favorite memory with Ramu: Running the Peachtree Road Race 10K Run with Ramu for the first time (Jon's 13th); they both ran their best times ever
Where you'll find him at the wedding: On the dance floor
Doppelgangers: Dominic Toretto (Fast & Furious) | Thor (Avengers) | John B. (The Outer Banks) | Richard Sherman
Dish that represents him: Slice of special and a side salad from Fellini's Pizza in Atlanta
Hype song: Ludacris - "Act A Fool"
Favorite memory with Ramu: Going to the NBA Summer League for the first time in 2016 to pivot his career into Sports Management and launch 'The Samin Feed' podcast
Where you'll find him at the wedding: In the kitchen helping prepare dinner
Doppelgangers: Sirius Black (Harry Potter) | Tyrion Lannister (GoT) | Tony Stark (Avengers) | Steph Curry
Dish that represents him: Pho dac biet (with all the toppings and extra sriracha)
Hype song: Waka Flocka Flame - "No Hands"
Favorite color: Rainbow
Favorite Frozen character: Elsa
You'll always hear her say:
Something new everyday!
But some classics- Do I look cute? Can we pretend like I'm a baby?
Favorite song: Udi udi Jaay
What she wants to be when she grows up: Pediatrician
Favorite color: Pink
Favorite Frozen character: Elsa
You’ll always hear them say: “I love you mommy”
Favorite song: Lil Nas X – Old Town Road
What does she want to be when she grows up? A Dentist
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite Frozen character: Elsa
You’ll always hear her say: “mommy” and “can I watch my little pony”
Favorite song: “The Medley” from Mujhse Dosti Karoge
What does she want to be when she grows up? A doctor artist
Favorite Frozen character: Anna and Elsa
You’ll always hear them say: Referring to her little sister Violet as "Sweetie" or "Baby"
Favorite song: Frozen 2 Theme Song - "Into the Unknown"
What does she want to be when she grows up: A mail carrier, a ballerina, and/or a veterinarian
Favorite Frozen character: Anna and Elsa
You’ll always hear them say: Singing Old McDonald, Wheels on the Bus, London Bridge, or some other nursery rhyme/song
Favorite song: Anything Charlotte is listening to
What does she want to be when she grows up: A somersault artist