Tina and Anita became (best) friends on a train to a med school orientation in NY. Tina had messaged Anita on Facebook to meet on the train (creepy but it worked out). They were absolutely inseparable for years, through med school and residency, and even after over a decade in different states. Whether it was traveling through Europe, study groups that mostly involved making towers out of markers or singing random songs about Parvovirus, or dancing the night away at Banana's, they always have the best time together. Bestie soulmates!

Vaheh and Ardalan have been friends since the dynamic duo took over the student council in high school. Despite Ardy not inviting Vaheh to his birthday party in 2003 (he was the ONLY kid in class who wasn't invited...rude), they still, somehow, became thick as thieves...and now Ardy wishes Vaheh would invite him to more things. And for a fun fact, the photo that Anita liked on Ardy's Hinge profile, was actually Vaheh's doing. Ardy didn't want to use it but bottom line- always listen to Vaheh!

C. Smalk and Placebo have been friends since middle school Volleyball. They were inseparable - they were members of the WWHS Rat Pack, waitresses at Harbor Club, and badminton champions. From study groups in BC calc, to partying at Club Anita, to traveling the world together, they've been best friends for decades. No amount of time or countries apart can separate these two.

BOOM On the first day of high school, Vaheh and Ardalan were both introduced to each other as the "funniest person [they'd] ever meet." Cute, but false on both accounts...just kidding. It turns out, Vaheh is absolutely hilarious and an even better friend. There's never been a dull moment with these two - V's tire launching off his car and Ardy chasing it down the street...huge hybrid bee attacks...Ardy spitting on him mid-convo and denying it (he does this a lot)...the list goes on and on.

Paluk and Anita met almost simiarly to Ardalan - through Bumble...but Bumble BFF. When Anita first moved to Cali with no friends or family nearby, she resorted to Bumble Bff to make friends. She thankfully met Paluk and hit it off...Paluk even came to Anita's New Years Party without having met her before (psycho...?) She has now somehow helped Anita become more "Indian" because of Ardalan...who knew a Persian could bring out the Desi in a gal?

Although Argeshte and Ardalan have known each other since high school, they didn't become besties until their mid 20s. A great meal, good music, a bottle of booze and these 2 are inseparable. Whether quoting a movie or tv show or repeating an inside joke for the hundredth time, Arg and Ardy always share a good laugh... "Josh Burnbalm step on up! Get on the scale son...GET OFF THE SCALE!"

Yoli was an ICU nurse at RCH. She had been on medical leave when Anita joined the intensivist group. After rounds one morning, Yoli asked for a medication order - Anita had responded "sure, sounds good," flashed her badge and walked away. Yoli was stunned and assumed Anita was a bitch...and though she was right, their friendship flourished (maybe BECAUSE she was right?). Since then, they've been close - so close that they'll often text and DM each other having 2 separate conversations at the same time.

Arin met Ardalan through Vaheh K at a party in high school. Arin happened to work at Circuit City and Ardalan called him to install a car stereo in his brother's car (Gen Z, stop judging. This was a long time ago). But look at that, new bestie made! Since then, Arin and Ardy have remained good friends and were actually the last 2 single guys left in their group. They would always crack jokes about staying single forever, but funny enough, they both ended up meeting their future fiancées within a month of each other!

Jessica and Anita became friends through the trauma that was USC Arcadia Hospital. Through suffering in the trenches of a COVID ICU, these 2 developed a bond that can never be broken. They immediately became besties, with wine and tequila nights, traveling together, and even training for and running the NYC Marathon in 2022 (Ardalan thinks a marathon is a 5K, just fyi).

Joseph had come into Ardalan's life as Vaheh A's partner, but he and Ardy developed a brotherhood over the last several years. Joseph is never shy to steer Ardalan in the direction he needs to go! Also... Anita and Joseph formed a bond from the instant they met. From bridal dress shopping to singing in convertibles, they are 2 peas in a pod....2 darlings :)