It was perfect.

The bachelorette party was trying at times - but being surrounded by five or six other women for several days straight is a task that’s impossible to get through without being frustrated (see: being in a sorority). Still, New Orleans? Bourbon Street? Ah. Ahhh. Heaven.

The wedding location was magnificent. Well done with the mansion, Huey P. Long. Sorry you got shot and then played by Sean Penn in the movie.

The weekend was: Wal-Mart chicken, a fancy rental car, driving through the bayou, Abita Strawberry, aching feet, burned shoulders, laughing, streetcars, beignets, late-night talks, hair and makeup and dresses, flowers, dancing, airline pains, and that painful joy of crying when you see your best friend walking down the aisle, with the unfortunate side effect of looking like a baboon standing next to the bride and groom in all of the photos of them standing at the altar.

My impromptu speech at the rehearsal dinner was awful, and my planned speech at the wedding was cancelled, but here as the gist of things: I love her, and she deserves the best in the world. I hope that he can give her that.