Rehearsal Event

The Revaire

Wedding Day

Morning-After Brunch

Our Wedding

I was just starting to find myself in my mid-20s after I started getting appropriate treatment for my ADD. The world suddenly started to seem like an amazing place full of possibilities. It was shortly after this when I met Tara. She had a pure, kind heart and was full of inner intuitive magic and wisdom to challenge my sometimes unfounded convictions and developing sense of how things should be. I experienced tremendous emotional growth through our discussions and adventures, and I could always count on her to help me recenter and provide excellent guidance as I navigated the world. I knew she was something special. But then I got into med school…in the Caribbean. Even though she knew its potential implications for our relationship, Tara was beyond supportive about me chasing my dreams. It was pure selflessness. And I’ll never forget….right before I left for the island, she told me with pure conviction, “you’re gonna be a star.” I’ve carried those words with me ever since, and during times when I would doubt myself, I would remember those words coming from someone I respected and cared so deeply about and it would induce a burst of self-empowerment. Once I got to the island, I poured everything I had into excelling in med school to prove to myself what I was now capable of, and it became apparent to me that I was not in the right place in my life to settle down. I was a bushy-tailed boy with so much more personal exploring and adventuring to do before I could be the right kind of partner for anyone. So we went our separate ways. I always said she would be the one that I let get away, but I genuinely believed that’s how it had to be for me to succeed in school and evolve into the person I wanted to be. Yet I always wondered if I had made a big mistake. Four years later, it was time for the residency match. I ranked UT Houston first because in the back of my mind, I had always intended to return and win her back. I got my second pick, Mayo Arizona, which at the time made my heart sink. Although in retrospect, I still don’t think I was mature enough to settle. Phoenix was absolutely amazing as I made phenomenal friends and learned how to build a life in a city where I initially knew literally nobody (which I think is a beautiful, growth-inducing and humbling experience that everyone should experience). Yet something was still missing. During my last year in Phoenix, Tara came in town on a girls trip and asked if I wanted to come meet up. Obviously I did, and I was astounded by how easily we slid back into our groove and realized we still had that one-of-a-kind connection that we had developed many years before. After she left, I tried to continue the interaction because my feelings had been reinvigorated, but I was saddened once I realized that she had moved on. OR SO I THOUGHT!! Later that year, she proactively invited me to her Christmas party (which I couldn’t make) but I KNEW, “Aha! The window is still open.” I simply had to capitalize this time to fight for the amazing life I knew we could have together. So I went to Houston a month later and got drinks and caught up with her. I just felt so happy and whole which inspired me to blurt out, yet somewhat nonchalantly, “I would marry you.” She nearly spat out her drink and her incredulous and skeptical expression read, “Well Ross is doing Ross things again.” But I had a semi-subconscious plan all along and won her back with my consistency. And now I can say, “I WILL marry you.”

Ross' Story

My favorite song is “Bless the Broken Road.” I’ll take it in any form, by any artist. I first heard it when I was 18, and it instantly resonated with my faith in love. With the right person, the song says, love is inevitable, transcendent, majestic. I knew I wanted to find the kind of love that made everything that preceded it — “every long lost dream” — &nbsp;worth it. A few years later, Ross and I met as awkward UT students when our roommates tried (and failed) to set us up on a double date. Neither of us remember much about this date — Ross didn’t even include it in his story! — and I think that’s telling. We were still finding ourselves and our voices, and as much as my heart was open to love, I don’t know if my mind was open enough to see all the possibilities. As we entered into our mid-20s, Ross and I formed an unexpectedly deep friendship in Houston. It was built on a shared appreciation for the weird and beautiful nuances of life — we could talk for hours about things we observed in ourselves, in culture, in the people around us. Our connection led us several times to dating, but it didn’t work. He wasn’t ready, and I would later learn that I wasn’t ready either. We went our separate ways, and then we spent nearly 10 years apart. At the start of that time, I struggled with both the immense loss of our friendship and comparing myself to other people. Everyone around me was moving forward with big life changes, it seemed, and I was standing still. Craving a shake-up, I took a leap of faith and moved to Doha, Qatar, for work. The years that followed were filled with people and experiences that unlocked latent parts of me. There were trials, explorations, joys, moments of pure exhilaration, growth and more growth. I was only overseas for three years, but I never stopped seeking growth when I returned. Over the past few years specifically, I worked to build a deeper trust in myself and in my ability to create the life I want. I finally learned what it means to fully own — and love — my story, however different it may look from the people around me. Ross says he won me back with his consistency, but that’s only part of the story. He won me back with his conviction in us, in how special we could be together as these different versions of ourselves. I couldn’t see the possibilities when we reconnected, but he could. There’s a line in “Bless the Broken Road” that says, “I think about the years I spent just passing through / I’d like to have the time I lost and give it back to you.” Ross is my person, but the truth is that I wouldn’t give those 10 years back to him. That time, my broken road, is my gift. In the end, I didn’t just find a love that made every long lost dream worth it; I found a love that builds on everything that came before it, a love that thrives because of all that we became while we were apart. And yes, it’s transcendent and majestic. And it was inevitable. With all of my heart I love this man, our story, and the ways we make each other better. We couldn’t be more grateful to celebrate this love with each of you on April 19!

Tara's Story

Our Story

Engagement Photos

From 2010 to 2025...

Photos

Bridesmaids

As introduced by Tara:

My sister! Monica is eight years younger than me, but in adult life she has become my inspiration, my biggest supporter, and my lifeline. To know her is to love her. We are in this together until the end! Monica lives in New York City.

Monica Seetharam

My other half! I couldn't do this life without her. We met in dance class our freshman year of high school, and she has cared for my heart and soul like no one else ever since. She put her full faith in Ross when we started dating again, and I'll never forget that. I love her and her big heart more than I can express! Maggie lives in Houston.

Maggie Palmer

My ride-or-die from my three years in Doha! As single women in the Middle East, our adventures were countless and our memories still make me laugh out loud to this day. We share a very special sisterhood! Corinne lives in Portland.

Corinne Anderson

Rebecca and I met as editors for our high school newsletter, followed each other to UT journalism school, and have been a source of inspiration and support for each other as we navigated very different careers. I admire and love her so much! Rebecca lives in College Station.

Rebecca Cord

Ross' older sister and my new big sister! She's been a huge supporter of me and Ross from the very start, and she is known to make every situation more fun and exciting! I can't wait to make new memories with her. Lori lives in New Orleans.

Loren Frederick-Ruppert

Ross' sister-in-law and my new sister! I've known her for a little over a year, but somehow it feels like much longer. She has been a kind and steady support for me and Ross and even helped him pick out my engagement ring. I can't wait for all that's to come as sisters! Kaycee lives in Austin.

Kaycee Frederick

Tanuja and I met through our parents as kids in Dallas, but lost touch in high school and college. We reunited in 2008 and instantly became soul sisters. We bond over deep talks, our love for cheese and wine and music and Tami Taylor, and our families' love for each other. She has my heart! Tanuja lives in NYC.

Tanuja Gupta

Laura and I met in choir in seventh grade and music has bonded us ever since! Our love language is sending each other new music and going on epic friend dates to country concerts. But she's more than that to me - she is a constant source of joy and faith in my life, and I love her so much! Laura lives in Houston.

Laura Killingsworth

My younger cousin who has always been more of a friend than a cousin! We've traveled the world together —Japan, South Africa, Thailand!— and she inspires me daily with her drive and curiosity and zest for life. I love her (and her dog Astro!!!) so! Sarah lives in Houston.

Sarah Ramirtha

Jess and I knew each other at UT but didn't become close until our mid-20s - and now I can't imagine life without her! She is my concert buddy, my dance partner, and a trusted friend who supported me and Ross wholeheartedly from the start. I love her! She lives in Houston.

Jessica Schuh

Stacy was my UT roommate who became my best friend in college. Her then-boyfriend (now husband) Craig lived with Ross, and she tried to set me and Ross up on a very awkward dinner date at our apartment. It was a failure at the time, but she always knew! I treasure our friendship and our sweet and silly memories over the years. Stacy lives in Houston.

Stacy Zwerneman

Wedding Party

Q + A

Please use the link below to reserve a room in the Tara Seetharam and Ross Frederick Wedding Room Block. You will need to book by March 18, 2025 to receive the discount. All guests staying at the Omni will be invited to our morning-after brunch on Sunday from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Omni Houston Hotel

Transportation

For those staying at the Omni, a shuttle will be provided to and from the wedding venue. We recommend using Uber and Lyft to get to and from the airport&nbsp;and to local attractions.&nbsp; If you prefer a private car service, we recommend&nbsp;using <a href="https://www.gusexecutive.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gus Executive Limo and Valet</a>.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Located approximately 23 miles north of downtown Houston.

William P. Hobby Airport

Located approximately 7 miles south of downtown Houston.

Travel

There's something for everyone in Houston! From "<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/01/19/travel/things-to-do-houston.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">36 hours in Houston</a>" by the New York Times: “If you have a taste for dynamism and beautiful complexities, this city is your buffet — and eating is the town sport. Enjoy the high-low vibe by immersing yourself in the recent influx of world-class art and, in the same afternoon, tying on a plastic bib for Viet-Cajun cuisine, an emerging staple. Explore overlooked African American history, sidle into Texas cowboy culture and indulge at the place that popularized Tex-Mex fajitas.”

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bl4cksmith/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blacksmith Coffee</a><a href="https://www.boomtowncoffee.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Boomtown Coffee</a><a href="https://www.agricolehospitality.com/coltivare" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Coltivare</a><a href="https://www.dagamahtx.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Da Gama</a><a href="https://www.eltiempocantina.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">El Tiempo</a><a href="https://tex-mex.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lupe Tortilla</a><a href="https://www.malasichuan.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mala Sichuan Bistro</a><a href="https://www.nancyshustle.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nancy’s Hustle</a><a href="https://ninfas.com/ninfas-on-navigation/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ninfa’s on Navigation</a><a href="https://www.pondicheri.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pondicheri</a><a href="https://www.posthtx.com/eat" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Post Market Food Hall</a><a href="https://www.squabletime.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Squable</a><a href="https://www.tasteoftexas.com/steaks/?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw6c63BhAiEiwAF0EH1AbJ8o_anQ1QbCxjWoKgFfN4IuaJ5mzw-lqmY2Ou2-SwWJdWI1RIrRoCTUsQAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Taste of Texas</a><a href="https://thebreakfastklub.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Breakfast Klub</a><a href="https://tinyboxwoods.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tiny Boxwoods</a><a href="https://www.trill-burgers.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Trill Burgers</a><a href="https://truthbbq.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoosxgihzYlVaZ3FfXVbJqNXf3VgZMnrc5EInS3IjagtCh7ICZt4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Truth Barbeque</a><a href="https://uchiko.uchirestaurants.com/location/houston/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Uchiko</a><a href="https://uchi.uchirestaurants.com/location/houston/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Uchi</a>

Drink

<a href="https://www.8thwonder.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">8th Wonder Brewery</a><a href="http://13celsius.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">13 Celsius Wine Bar and Cafe</a><a href="https://www.anvilhouston.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Anvil</a><a href="https://www.betterlucktomorrowhou.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Better Luck Tomorrow</a><a href="https://www.cedarcreekcafe.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cedar Creek Bar and Grill</a><a href="https://cottonwoodhouston.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cottonwood</a><a href="https://hollerbeer.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Holler Brewing Co.</a><a href="https://kirbyicehouse.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kirby Ice House</a><a href="http://www.owlnet.rice.edu/~hans320/projects/lacarafe/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">La Carafe Wine Bar</a><a href="https://redlionpubhouston.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Red Lion Pub</a><a href="https://www.saintarnold.com/beer-garden/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Saint Arnold’s Beer Garden and Restaurant</a><a href="https://therustic.com/houston-post-oak/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Rustic Post Oak</a><a href="https://therustic.com/houston-downtown/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Rustic Downtown</a>

Play

<a href="https://www.alleytheatre.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Alley Theatre</a><a href="https://buffalobayou.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Buffalo Bayou</a><a href="https://www.discoverygreen.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Discovery Green</a><a href="https://www.hermannpark.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hermann Park</a><a href="https://www.houstonzoo.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Houston Zoo</a><a href="https://www.memorialparkconservancy.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Memorial Park </a><a href="https://www.milleroutdoortheatre.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Miller Outdoor Theatre</a><a href="https://www.mlb.com/astros/ballpark" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Minute Maid Park</a>

Shop

<a href="https://19thstreetheights.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">19th Street in The Heights</a><a href="https://houstonhighlandvillage.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Highland Village</a><a href="https://rice-village.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rice Village</a><a href="https://www.riveroaksdistrict.com/shop?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw6c63BhAiEiwAF0EH1BN6FGmRLouJkdxHuAxyjv2gcBjkPOxmJDWwLaDq_WB6FxP-aYHsfBoC0xoQAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">River Oaks Shopping District</a><a href="https://www.simon.com/mall/the-galleria" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Galleria</a>

Learn

<a href="https://camh.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Contemporary Arts Museum Houston</a><a href="https://www.hmns.org/?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw6c63BhAiEiwAF0EH1ER3224dFVKkUGjH03MUbG4l2112baDo0RWIYW6hWhA3aDu3552vvhoCtRAQAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Houston Museum of Natural Science</a><a href="https://www.menil.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Menil Collection</a><a href="https://www.mfah.org/?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw6c63BhAiEiwAF0EH1AlCqlHYrDHWjhGmmqgmrjUX8_x20wDV1tc63_g81TRAUYLyDp1HNxoCMuIQAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston</a><a href="Space Center Houston" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Space Center Houston</a>

Things to Do

Honeymoon Fund

For us, the best gift of all is getting to celebrate our wedding weekend with all of you. Maybe you befriend somebody new in the revelry and then come tell us something unique you have in common. Or you include us in an exotic, brain-tickling conversation you're having. Or you even tell us something you admire about each other.&nbsp; However, we've been told that wedding guests have historically become confused when there is no gift registry, so we are including a honeymoon fund for our trip to Italy. Please know that we would much prefer you save your money for your flights/hotels or for a future adventure we can share together. But if you choose to contribute, we are deeply grateful. <a href="https://www.hitchd.com/rossandtarahoneymoon" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Link to Our Honeymoon Fund</a> xoxo,Tara and Ross