Meet the wedding party!

OFFICIANT

Darren met Tong in college, where they slowly became the best of friends through study sessions and their love of Tea (co-hosting TEE club). Sadly, Darren would abandon Tong by graduating college and moving to Chicago. Thankfully, Tong moved to Chicago a year later where both of them would cultivate a community of food eaters and city explorers.

When Evan eventually moved to Chicago as well, he met Tong through a mutual friend of Darren's. Although, Darren didn't actually do anything and he's not very vocal about it, he secretly takes credit for the couple's union. Beyond taking his responsibility as a friend to the couple very seriously, he also spends his time playing board games, taking photos, and cooking (not baking).

BRIDESMAID

Katlin and Tong met at Cruger during our Freshman year of Bard College and it was love at first sight. Many a long night was spent at the library cramming essays and studying for exams. Although they worked hard there was always time for Golden Wok, egg crate naps, and Hollow Knight. Lately, you can find Katlin on a hike (as pictured above) or at a rave.

BRIDESMAN

Kazu met Tong through their friend Darren, and the two quickly bonded as fellow Chicago newcomers on a quest for the city’s best eats. Kazu soon became a fixture at "Dinner at Tong’s" (DATs), being promoted from "Frequent Guest" to "Assistant (to the) Executive Chef" and "Resident DJ" as the mastermind behind the world renowned Chill DATs playlist series.

After surviving a pandemic-era roommateship with Tong and their third musketeer, Raj Surana, Kazu now spends his time training for marathons and pampering his partner Caitlin’s cat, Spaghetti.

BRIDESMAID

Ankita met Tong during Tong’s first week in Chicago back in 2019, and Tong quickly became one of her closest friends (a rare honor, as Ankita will tell you she doesn't even like that many girls). The two even climbed together for a couple of years, bonding over struggling up walls and rewarding themselves with all-you-can-eat sushi afterwards, because nothing cements a friendship quite like shared suffering and California rolls.

When she's not hanging out with Tong, Ankita is usually buried in work or crazy assignments, counting down the days until the weekend so she can spend time with Evan and Tong... mostly to see Jenny.

Just kidding, she loves them more. 🙃

BRIDESMAID

Stephanie and Tong met as cohort-mates in their PhD program and became fast friends as Tong showed Stephanie around Chicago and the two trauma-bonded over research and exams (shoutout Molly Tea).

Over the years, Steph has been lucky to witness Tong and Evan’s partnership and fawn over the adorable Jenny. In her free time, you can find Steph attempting an Oly/CrossFit workout, baking, reading, or doomscrolling.

BRIDESMAN

Soaham and Tong met during grad school, becoming friends over many co-working sessions that were light on work and very heavy on yapping. Along the way, Soaham grew to see Tong as a kindred spirit, a bond shaped by long conversations full of laughter and commiseration about the PhD experience.

Tong and Evan are Soaham’s favorite couple, and he feels incredibly lucky to stand by them and celebrate this next chapter together.

Although Soaham wastes most of his spare time overthinking and doing nothing, you can also sometimes find him meditating or reading every now and then.

BEST MAN

Nathan is Evan's younger brother. The two spent their formative years biking around the neighborhood, constructing forts in the woods, and playing video games late into the night.

Nathan now lives in the Bay Area with his wife Eva, son Avi, and the OG Lin family pup, Este, a sunspot-seeking old lady who's earned her retirement. Though they live far apart, the brothers refuse to let distance get in the way, reuniting for holidays and major milestones.

When distance keeps them apart, you'll find them catching up over FaceTime or battling it out in Magic the Gathering online.

GROOMSMAN

Ryan and Evan met while settling into their post-college lives in the Boston area. The two were introduced by Ryan's wife Emily, who had been friends with Evan since high school. They quickly bonded over their shared love of adventure, both indoors and out.

For years, Ryan, Evan, and their crew held a Monday night tradition: climbing at Brooklyn Boulders followed by rotating dinner parties. These Monday nigh climbing dinners quickly became a highlight of everyone's week.

Ryan was also the one who introduced Evan to the wonders of hiking and camping, and the two have logged countless trips across the East Coast in search of epic views and perfect campfires.

These days, Ryan and Emily live in Massachusetts with their newborn son Cyrus and dog Juniper.

GROOMSMAN

Rumor has it that David was named after Evan's middle name after their parents met in early '90s Boston. Growing up alongside David's sister Caroline and Evan's brother Nathan, the two families have been intertwined for over 30 years.

From late-night Halo marathons in their childhood to trading trash talk over their Celtics-Sixers rivalry as adults, David and Evan have remained close over the years.

These days, the families maintain their tradition of alternating hosting Thanksgiving.

Now living in Brooklyn, David is doing his best Dr. Rabinovich impression running a hospital ER.

GROOMSMAN

Kyle and Evan have been friends since freshman year at Tufts, becoming housemates junior and senior year before extending their lease on friendship for another two years in Inman Square.

The two have witnessed some truly epic Boston sports moments together; from the unforgettable Pats comeback against the Ravens in the 2015 AFC Divisional to Kershaw vs. Sale in Game 1 of the 2018 World Series.

Along with their friend Ben, Kyle and Evan have also ticked off national parks and bucket-list sights across the country.

These days, Kyle lives in Boston with his wife Arin and baby daughter Tessa.

GROOMSMAN

Ben and Evan met at Tufts during sophomore year when Ben, freshly transferred from New York, spotted Evan and his roommate watching a football game.

Their friendship only grew stronger after graduation, bonding over rock climbing and memorable softball playoff runs. With their friend Kyle, they road tripped across the US and Canada in search of minor league games and mountain summits.

These days, Ben lives in Boston with his wife Andrea. He’s recently taken up sailing, spending summer weekends gliding across the Charles River.