wedding road trip

Day 24: Finally, Alina

We were supposed to see Alina on Friday night for appetizers and drinks at Alma de Cuba. Too bad we were too busy breaking and entering in New Jersey. Alina was gracious enough to reschedule with us and even went so far as to snag us a table at the best brunch place in Philly.

Alina is one of the kindest, sweetest, truest people I’ve ever had the opportunity to walk across America with. There is no one in the world that doesn’t like Alina. I defy you, I challenge you to find someone. While everyone else on the trip was planning a Steps Across America takeover, Alina was busy making friends and influencing people.

Alina took us to Sabrina’s Cafe, which had the audacity to put Oreo pancakes with blueberry compote on the menu. Clearly they weren’t given the memo that I want to lose ten pounds, not gain them. Mustering up all of the strength that I could possibly find, I dodged the pancakes and decided to find my stimulation in our conversation.

Alina is currently finishing her third year as a med student at Drexel University. This means that she’s got one year of school left and six thousand more in residency. While she’s not seriously dating anyone, she did let it slip that a certain young man brought her homemade cupcakes the other day. During her undergrad years, Alina had a very serious relationship with a wonderful guy who is currently serving in the Marines. Faced with the constraints of long distance, they decided to part ways as friends.

While Alina has never been married, she definitely knows what traits she wants in the future Mr. Tan. Friendship, communication, and fun are all characteristics of the man who’ll win her hand. While she didn’t mention it, I can see loyalty being a trait on that list, as Alina is the type of person who values and treasures the people in her life in a very authentic way.

Before we left Philly, we got the opportunity to see the inside of a third year med school student’s apartment. And while I won’t reveal the contents of Alina’s secret lair, I will say this: it’s nice to know that the future doctors of America still read Allure and know the gossip about Jon and Kate Plus 8.

Tags: day 24 philly road trip, marriage advice, pennsylvania wedding road trip, wedding road trip philly