Abhinav & Kristen

May 26, 2024 • Bernalillo, NM

Abhinav & Kristen

May 26, 2024 • Bernalillo, NM

Wedding Party

Ashley - Maid of Honor

I met Kristen at our church in Austin in 2016. I was in a small group with her that met weekly, and through those gatherings I got to witness what a kind and lovable person she was! We became fast friends and deepened our friendship year over year. Through tears of laughter and pain, dancing, hiking, service trips, long conversations, church events, and spending time with each others' families, our friendship has only gotten stronger. I am so grateful and honored to know and to be besties with Kristen!

Natasha - Bridesmaid

Hi! I'm Natasha! I met Kristen around 2007, through her brother, John. During our Sophomore year of college, John and I became friends and began hanging out (We later dated and married!). Having known her as long as I have, I am fortunate to have seen her grow up since high school. I attended her high school play of the Sound of Music, high school and college golf matches, graduations and many family vacations. I've seen her grow from a beautiful, intelligent high school student, to an amazing aunt and future doctor...and now a future bride. I'm truly honored to be a member of the wedding party and cannot wait to celebrate Kristen and Abhi's love.

Chansin Esparza - Bridesmaid

Kristen is an encouragement to my soul. I remember fondly when we first met at church, and I invited her to do one-on-one coffee and Bible study with me on a weekly basis. I’m sure I benefitted from our time together as much as she did. Kristen became my friend and showed up for my children’s birthday parties. We did retreats together and a mission trip to Mexico, took special time for each other’s birthdays, watched tv shows together, went skiing in NM together, and served children in need. I have been impressed by her Spanish-speaking skills, her creativity through dance and song, her ability to pick up and learn the ukulele, and oh yeah - her feats in medicine. Even though I hated to see her leave Austin, I felt privileged to write a letter recommending her for medical school. When I reached out a few years ago asking for prayer for an upcoming big day at a new job, she not only said yes, but she also wrote me a page-long letter telling me how much she believes in me. Kristen made me feel like I could handle any challenge. Not only is Kristen brilliant, I observe her as brave and willing to try anything. She is compassionate and intentional and mature beyond her years. Her mindset is that of abundance and possibility. She is deeply devoted to family. A person of character, love, and hope. Whoa, Abhinav - do you know how lucky you are!?!? (I’m sure you do. Much love to you, too, Abhinav.)

Brittany Brose - Bridesmaid

Hi! I’m Brittany. I’ve known Kristen almost her entire life. We met when she was just a baby, and her parents were building their home in our circle. Our families quickly became best of friends. For years, Kristen and her brother John came to our house every morning for breakfast before getting on the school bus, and then after school we all went to their house until my parents got home. We both love to read and have shared so many books. And we danced at the same dance studio, participating in dance recitals, dance competitions, and The Nutcracker together. We’ve spent many Christmas Eves with her family. When I met Abhi last year on Christmas Eve, I could see right away how happy she was to have found her person. I’m thrilled and honored to be a part of their celebration of marriage!

Melissa H. - Bridesmaid

"Not many people have the moment their friendship started captured on camera, but you can catch a glimpse of the day Kristen and I first met on Season 23, Episode 7 of the El Paso Physician on PBS. Since then we’ve been able to share many meals together, enjoy nights where we cry from laughing over board games, and de-stressed with regular Sunday evening sunset walks. I knew when we met that Kristen was one-of-a-kind and a forever friend, and I’m incredibly excited to celebrate her joining in union with a partner whose heart and soul are equally as beautiful and kind. Cheers to my friends, Kristen and Abhinav." -Melissa H

Akanksha Mishra - Bridesmaid

I had the delight of officially meeting Kristen in October of 2022, when I visited my brother in Albuquerque. Though we did not talk long during that visit, I felt a kinship with her (and an excitement that someone was supporting my life-long plan to irritate my brother). After she officially met the rest of our family during Christmas of last year, she felt like a part of a natural progression of our family dynamic. I’m incredibly excited to be gaining a sister-in-law and I cannot wait to celebrate their love once again! Cheers to Bhaiya and Bhabi.

Kenneth and Catherine - Ring Bearer and Flower Girl

When two people love each other, the positive aura is abundant, as it embellishes the air and beautifully impacts others around. When these people look into one another’s eyes, sparks fly by, and they see the innermost depths of their souls. There are no obstacles, no boundaries, no eternal hardships that can stop these two hearts from uniting as one. Love shall provide all of the answers that life needs, and two people in love will open new worlds to life as we know it. This, obviously, is the introduction to my relationship with Abhinav, since it’s not like there’s anyone else that he would feel this way with.

Or so I thought…

My name is Brett, and I met Abhinav early on into my freshman year of college. I, being the one-track minded person I am, just wanted to find nice people to play basketball with, so I locked eyes on my target- a stout Indian man standing around 5’3” or so that I just knew would be easy competition. Since that person wasn’t available, I got Abhinav to play instead! I’m just kidding, of course! Although I may have schooled and awed Abhinav on the basketball court that day, he has done the same to me countless times in life.

Despite standing nearly one foot taller than Abhinav, I look up to him in many ways. Abhinav shifted the course of my life in astoundingly wondrous ways with his intelligence, heart, passion, charisma, charm, care, light, and much, much more. He blessed me not only with his friendship, but with his brotherhood and with a whole family. (I love you all, Mishras!!!) Soon enough, Kristen will feel this joy that she certainly deserves at a level that anyone would feel incredibly blessed and lucky to experience. She soon will officially be a part of Abhinav’s family, but I hope she knows that she already is a part of the Mishra clan and that she is forever linked to the heart that I know and love in Abhinav. So, this is for my brother and new sister to be in Abhinav and Kristen! I cannot wait for your big day to come, as each day you two wake up to one another will be the beginning of a wonderful life to be. Thank you both for being in my life! Congratulations to the both of you, my family!

Love and light,

Brett

Worst Man (Co-Best Man)

John - Groomsman

Hi, I'm John.

As Kristen's brother, I had heard a lot about Abhi but didn't get to meet him until they had been dating for a while. I first “met” him when he attended one of our weekly family FaceTime calls, but the big milestone occurred during Christmas of 2022, when I finally got to meet Abhi in person.

From the first call, to the visit over Christmas, to now, Abhi has always just seemed to be part of the family (never that awkward get-to-know-you time). He fit right in - hanging out (huge hit with my kids), joking around (never lacking for a pun), and taking part in our family traditions (he certainly set the bar high with his amazing french toast breakfast and egg curry dinner).

While the time I've known Abhi is short, it is clear that he is an amazing, kind and caring person who makes my sister very happy. I couldn't be more excited to have Abhi join our family and look forward to getting to know him, and his family, more over the years. I am honored to be a part of the wedding party can't wait to celebrate their marriage.

"Sassy smartypants shows up to CL one day as a student and starts talking my language about guns and politics.” - Christopher Conrad, Baby Charlotte's Ex-Navy Father, regarding Abhinav.

*Co-Best Man*

"When I hung out with Abhinav in college, his energy was captivating and uplifting. He always maintained this lighthearted demeanor that made me forget the stresses of life. He made it easy to truly savor the moment.

Knowing Abhinav, as I do, feels surreal at times because he is so different than anyone else you’ll meet. He posses an enduring sense of curiosity and wonder that infuses the air around him with infectious joy and excitement. I always knew how much Abhinav has accomplished in life, and I have always been exceptionally proud of him, However, learning about his engagement elicited a new appreciation for his extraordinary journey.

Abhinav is the kind of person that doesn’t just let life unfold, he bravely and actively shapes his destiny. By taking this step of marrying Kristen, he's once again demonstrating this ability. I have no doubt that you two possess incredible potential together, and I wish you a life filled with boundless adventures, enduring happiness, unforgettable vacations, and the dream of a loving family. Congratulations for winning his heart, Kristen."

-Fady Khorany, Groomsman

"I met Abhi during immersion to medical school. We both showed up to hike North Franklin mountain with Dr. Pfarr. It was a strenuous hike, and we both needed lunch by the time we finished. We got to chatting over lunch that first day, and Abhi invited me to a dinner with friends at his place that was coming up. I felt so included and he was the first real friend I made during medical school. We haven't looked back since." -Brandon Reif, Active Duty Air Force Captain