Hi y'all, I'm Jessica! I became friends with Laurel and Saad in our first year at Rhodes College. Laurel pondered ethics with me in our intro to humanities class, and Saad and I bonded over the shared trauma of Computer Science 101. Over the next ten years, I watched the two of them go from acquaintances to friends to loving partners. It's been a privilege to watch them grow together, and I'm so happy to be a part of the next chapter of their relationship.

I'm Laurel's older sister and I am so excited to see Laurel and Saad make things forever official, as they have shown true love and support for each other over the past ten years. I've loved watching them encourage each other to try new things, help each other survive grad school, and be patient and accepting of one another's families (even when things got heated during Settlers of Catan). Laurel has always been an independent thinker and was never one to let customs or expectations dictate the way she lives her life. I'm excited to see this all come together in a beautiful mystical mythical magical wedding celebration!!

Hi! My name is Hamza and I am Saad's brother! I have known Saad for, well, my whole life! I met Laurel during their undergrad at Rhodes College. Over the years, it's been amazing to see Saad and Laurel grow as people and as a couple. I'm excited for this next step in their journey and am so happy to be a groomswizard! Wishing nothing but continued magical moments for these two.

Hi, I'm Marie! I'm a medical ghostwriter and nurse from Charlotte, NC. I can't remember a time in my life when I didn't know and love Laurel. Some of my earliest memories are of running up and down the stairs during a sleepover at the Martin's Dilworth home, and climbing out on the roof in Barclay Downs (Sorry Ben and Kathy!). I can't believe it was ten years ago when she first told me about Saad — she had the biggest smile on her face when talking about him. I've treasured growing up with her and watching her and Saad make a life together. Their love for each other is so comfortable, joyful, and inspiring. They helped my husband and I celebrate our wedding in October, and I can't wait to celebrate them in December!

Laurel and I have known each other since our time back at Rhodes, but I've known Saad back since high school, when he bullied me into taking a second year of Physics. About me - I've done my best to avoid quantum anything as much as I could, and ended up working with computers instead. Happily married to a mutual friend of Saad and mine from high school (shoutout Bee) I'm happy beyond words that Saad and Laurel have found each other and are getting hitched - I can't wait to see y'all there!

I met Laurel and Saad one memorable day at a Decemberists concert. Saad recognized my husband Pat from across the room because they had been Teaching Assistants together. Laurel, being the initiator she is, walked up to us and introduced herself. We spent the evening enjoying good music and talking about our favorite books. Since then, we have enjoyed many games, movies, and delicious Indian food together. I’m pleased to say we introduced them to their now favorite Indian restaurant (a fact that Saad often tries to take credit for). I am a former teacher and now enjoy being at home with my two daughters while they are young. I feel so privileged to be friends with Laurel and Saad and am excited to celebrate their love with their friends and family.

Hi! I’m Marlo (they/them) and I am a behavior specialist for families with young children in Nashville, TN. It was sophomore year in German class where I got to know Saad. It started with jokes and laughter and became deep conversations about life. He was the only person I could have those conversations with who challenged me. I quickly knew Saad would be someone special in my life. I have had the pleasure of getting to know Laurel more over the past few years and it has made me sure that Saad found his person. I can’t wait to celebrate them!

I'm Sandeep, and I know Saad. We met at OSU during the Physics PhD program. Both of us were interested in condensed matter theory and ended up working on a project together that was eventually published (https://journals.aps.org/prresearch/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.043416). During this project, I used to call him at night, which annoyed Laurel (whom I hadn't met yet at the time). Later on, we attended multiple conferences together and often shared rooms (nothing inappropriate happened, not that it would have been an issue if it did). Also, I'm the unofficial best man for the wedding, so if anyone has a problem with that, we can discuss it outside right now!

Hi I'm Alyson. I do Krav Maga and that's how I met Laurel. I love animals, being near water, and animals. I've been a love connoisseur for 20+ years. I'm so excited for the wedding and the unique twist the bride and groom have planned.

Hello! I’m Lily! I am currently a graduate student in the entomology department at Ohio State. I originally met Saad when I was a student in his physics class. I had no idea he would become one of my closest friends when we reconnected a year later. It has been a pleasure to get to know Saad and Laurel over the past few years and witness the deep love and dedication they have to each other. I am overjoyed to be included in their wedding party!

I’m Madison! I can clearly remember the first time Laurel punched me- or maybe I punched first - in krav maga, of course. I’ve enjoyed getting to know and beat Laurel up at krav over the past few years. Hearing her talk about Saad and how they navigate the roller coaster of life together always amazes me. I can’t wait to celebrate them!

My name’s Josh, and I’m currently a Physics PhD student at the University of Mississippi. I’ve been friends with Saad since our undergraduate years as physics majors at Rhodes College. As classmates in a liberal arts college, we naturally had many shared interests: sushi, stuffy philosophy books, Sufjan Stevens, pretentious films, trap music, Vietnamese food, and physics. Eventually, I also had the pleasure of becoming friends with his really cool and very well-read partner Laurel. Over the years, Saad and Laurel have both been great friends to me and my wife, and I’m very excited to celebrate their marriage with them in Columbus this December.

Hi there! My name is Amanda Rhoades and I am a warrior for the bride. Some interesting Facts about me: Laurel and I are birthday twins. I grew up on Long Island, NY (apparently, I still say some words funny). I live in Columbus, OH with my boyfriend Kelvin and daughters Aiyana and Amaya (who is college bound!). 2 cats: Katara and Suki (Favorite show is Avatar the Last Airbender). 1 dog: Basil, who is my CONSTANT companion and partner in crime. Favorite Whimsy Activity: Frolicking. Sorting Hat: Hufflepuff. I can fall asleep in under 90 seconds (thanks Narcolepsy). I read multiple books a week (Open to Urban Fantasy/ Sci-Fi series suggestions). I like even numbers but relate more to odd. I am a handy crafter. I dislike: dried fruit, vanilla scented things, peas. Favorite furniture: hammock. Favorite color: indigo.