Lauren, our second and last child, is the life of the Sohna family home! If the numerous nicknames given to her by her parents, aunties, and uncles (e.g. "Mama de mama" "mamasita" etc.) are any indication, Lauren has a way of leaving an impression on those who love her. Sweet, calm and collected, this girl nonetheless has a wicked sense of humor and does everything with great conviction. She's as playful as she's insightful! This is the child we reach out to for out-of-the-box solutions to everything. Following in her father's love-of-fashion-designs footsteps, Lauren designed and hand-sewed her first doll dress at the ripe old age of 3! Her bathroom or "laboratory" as we call it, has been the birth place of many natural hair care products. If you take away YouTube and her ability to learn and expand from it, this girl perishes!:) Occasionally she dabbles in other hobbies as well, such as swimming and playing the piano, but ultimately and naturally Lauren returns to learning, with hopes of becoming an inventor and/or psychiatrist one day.

Anym is that friend who has seen me through all phases of my life--childhood, puberty, teenage years through adulthood and now our "golden years". That is a lot of years! Lol. Anym and I met when we were barely 10 years old and have remained besties ever since. Although living in seperate continents most of that  time, (Anym being in Europe and Africa), we have supported each other through every major milestone in life! We were there for each other through the atrocious dating years (lol) and have some stories to boot! I'm looking forward to recalling some of those stories with her over some strong drinks in Cancun. When we finally met "the one" we rejoiced for each other more than words can describe! I was honored to be the Matron of Honor for Anym (and Edwin)'s wedding over 25 years ago and I'm thrilled that she'll be my Matron of Honor come this June!

I met Erica on my first day working at the Government Accountability Office, 15 years ago. When an office-wide email was sent suggesting that veteran employees swing by the conference room to welcome the new employee, Erica was the first one to stop by. Imagine my surprise when I later found out she had only started working there a bare 4 months before I arrived. Yet she waltzed her way into that conference room like she had been there forever! I knew immediately I saw her that this girl was special! Lol. We struck an immediate friendship. Erica is not only my co-worker and friend, she is my sister. She's been there for our family from the very beginning--when she invited us over for the first of many dinners at her place, when Noah was barely 3 months old, till this day when she'll befittingly take her place next to us to witness us exchange our vows! This girl is my sister from another mother! I joke that she is more African than I am because she eats the hottest pepper sauce without as much as a sip of water, has been to more Cameroonian wakekeepings and has danced in more circles than a village harem! Until my Lauren was 6, she did not know "auntie Erica" was not her blood auntie. Why? Because she's the first to send birthday and Christmas gifts, attend end of year and graduation parties, holler at her sporting events, and babysit when mom & dad have to travel. I could go on and on about how much this woman has loved upon and supported my family from the beginning until now but can't because I'm running out of space! 

"Uncle Chief", as our children call him, is Noah's "right hand man"! These two always have the best of times when together. Our families have become extremely close, thanks to the love these two men share for each other. Our families have been there for each other, through commencements, coronations (yes , sessekou is our version of a king), the passing of loved ones, getaway trips, etc. I knew Noah and James share an incredible bond but had no idea just how strong that bond was until late last year when we travelled to Vegas for a surprise birthday party for James, organized by his lovely wife, Caro. We were the last to arrive at the party. When James saw Noah walk into the room, he immediately leapt into the air and I watched as the two hugged each other even while James pumped his fist in the air, declaring, "now the party can begin"! It was endearing to watch even while I felt slightly bad for those who had already been there hours before when the party actually began. However, amazingly, no one took offense and almost all smiled, nodding their heads because they undertood! Lol. James has been there for our family and union in more ways than he knows I know. And that is what makes this so special that he'll be standing there next to Noah in complete and continuous support of us when we exchange our vows before God.

Noah is our first and only son. He's a sweet, funny, and respectful young man and a great student and soccer player (he insisted I add this bit!). Since Noah miraculously gave up video games and karate, most of his time has been consumed by soccer. He can be found on any given day kicking soccer balls during practice or a competitive game. If you engage him for only a minute about soccer, you'll be impressed by just how vast and enormous this kid's knowledge of soccer history is--particularly history of Cameroon soccer. Noah hopes to attend and play soccer for Stanford or Duke University one day! Did we tell you just how much Noah loves soccer?:) We think he's also a great dancer, although he's too modest to admit it! If you hear loud music blasting from our home on most evenings and weekends, it is likely Noah practicing the latest dance moves!

Bass is Noah's brother and best friend. These two have been inseparable from birth and have engaged in mischief in almost as much time. Both have a zeal for life and an unmistaken love for fashion which they inherited from their dad. Some say they look alike too, however, Noah is the more handsome and older of the two, although he just happens to look younger:) It's been a joy to watch these two brothers grow in every dimension and raise families of their own. What better man to stand as Noah's best man than one who has been there for him all along?!