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For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Ashutosh Kadakia and I’m friends with Adam and Shannon from IU.

This is a pretty hard act to follow after all the great toasts we had yesterday, and following in Mr. Hanson’s wake and these lovely maid of honors wake isn’t easy.

But, let me start by apologizing for this awkward presentation – I was going to make it formal, and I had a 717 word speech ready to feed into a teleprompter, but then found out at the last minute that President Obama has gone through so many of them, that teleprompters are in short supply.

No but in seriousness, this was an absolutely perfect weekend and I can’t imagine a bride more beautiful and radiant than Shannon. For those of you that weren’t there yesterday, Shannon’s aunt has a recording of Shannon from when she was 3 ½ asking her what she wanted to become when she grew up – she replied, a lady and a mom. Well Shannom has clearly become a lady.. And well Adam its time start on that second part.

I’m quite used to seeing Adam in grungy sweats, and that dirty tan baseball cap, so seeing him here in a tux is a welcome change – so Shannon thank you for that.

However – I think it’s a great honor to be here as Adam’s best man; we’ve lived together, travelled together, closed out Nick’s and Kilroy’s together, Facebook stalked together, skied together, and even occasionally studied together, and – he has been – and continues to be – a terrific friend.

But, let me hasten to say that the term “Best Man” is a purely a ceremonial title for weddings and not – in any way – an actual intellectual or physical distinction.

However – if any of you single beautiful girls gathered here wish to think “the Best Man” title is an accurate description of my manliness and power, that’s perfectly fine with me.

I think it’s fair to say that I was the first to know – even before Adam knew – that he and Shannon were destined to get married. I broke this rather extraordinary news to Adam as we walked – perhaps staggered is more accurate – back to our dorms while we studied abroad, but in reality the prediction was not that difficult to make.

While we were competing over who could consume the most British pints, all Adam did was talk about Shannon. It was Shannon said this, and Shannon said that, and how bright Shannon is, and how beautiful Shannon is.

But, it was altogether unnecessary, because – truth to tell – I completely agreed, and Erik is a great guy, but I think it was a bit shortsighted of you to not have a sister for me.

Well Shannon thinks I’m and absolutely reckless, awful California driver, who should have his license suspended and when Shannon found out about my being the best man, the first thing she said to Adam was any role he wanted me to play at the wedding is perfectly fine with her, as long it didn’t involve my driving her anywhere.

And, knowing my miserable record for attending classes in college I think she was a bit nervous about me showing up for their wedding, but – not to fear, Shannon, I may have missed half our R305 classes, but I am here.

But, in all seriousness, as I’ve watched Adam and Shannon grow closer, I’m totally certain that they are perfectly matched for each other and there is no doubt in my mind that each has found the perfect soul-mate for life.

And it’s great to be able to say that the couple we just to joke about being the married couple, are now officially the married couple.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, please raise your glasses.

To Adam and Shannon Jorgensen:

• May they always have around them the kind of wonderful people who are here to bless their marriage this evening;
• May they comfort each other in the hard times and share in all the good times;

Ladies and gentlemen, to Adam and Shannon Jorgensen.