I am afraid john, I can't congratulate you.
All emotions , and in particular love, stand oppose to the pure, cold reason I hold above all things.A wedding is , in my considered opinion, nothing short of a celebration of all ,that is false and specious and irrational and sentimental in this ailing and morally compromised world.
Today we honor the deathwatch beetle that is the doom of our society, and in time one feels certain our entire species.
But anyway , lets talk about john.
If I burden myself with a little helpmate during my adventures, this is not out of sentiment or caprice, it is that he has many fine qualities of his own that he has overlooked in his obsession with me.
Indeed, any reputation I have for mental acuity and sharpness comes in truth, from the extraordinary contrast john so selflessly provides.in fact I believe that brides tend to favor exceptionally plain bridesmaids for their big day. There is a certain analogy there, I feel, and contrast is, after all, god's own plan to enhance the beauty of his creation.
Or it would be if god were not a ludicrous fantasy designed to provide a career opportunity for the family idiot.
The point I'm trying to make is that I am the most unpleasant, rude, ignorant, and all round obnoxious asshole that anyone could possibly have the misfortune to meet. I am dismissive of the virtuous, unaware of the beautiful, and uncomprehending in the face of happy.
So if I didn't understand I was being asked to be best man, it is because I never expected to be anybody's best friend. And certainly not the best friend of the bravest and kindest and wisest human being I have ever had the good fortune of knowing.
John, I am a ridiculous man. Redeemed only by the warmth and constancy of your friendship. But as I am apparently your best friend, I can not congratulate you on your choice of companion.
Actually, now I can.
Mary, when I say you deserve this man, it is the highest compliment of which I am capable.
John, you have endured war, and injury and tragic loss, so sorry again about that last one, so know this today you sit between the woman you have made your wife and the man you have saved.
In short, the two people who love you most in all this world.And I know I speak for Mary as well, when I say we will never let you down, and we have a lifetime ahead to prove that.
…..
However, it does help to further illustrate how invaluable john is to me. I can read a crime scene the way he can understand a human being. I used to think that's what made me special, quite frankly I still do. But a word to the wise, should any of you require the services of either of us, I will solve your murder, but it takes John Watson to save your life.
Trust me on that, I should know, he's saved mine so many times and in so many ways. This blog, is the story of two men and their, frankly, ridiculous adventures of murder, mystery and mayhem. But from now on , there is a new story. A bigger adventure.
…..
Ladies and gentlemen, just one last thing before the evening begins properly. Apologies for earlier, a crisis arose and was dealt with.
More importantly ,however, today we saw two people make vows. I have never made a vow in my life and after tonight I never will again. So,here in front of you all, my first and last vow.
Mary and John, whatever it takes , whatever happens, from now on, I swear I will always be there. Always, for all three of you. er,I am sorry, I mean, I mean two of you. ..Anyway, it's time for dancing:)