Paola and Ilona were different from most children at primary school in Bovenkarspel. Paola because she has a disability and a deep voice and Ilona was short and fat. They were bullied for that, but found support in each other. It turned out to be the beginning of a long-lasting and, above all, close friendship. Even though they no longer live near each other, their friendship conquers all.
‘Don’t touch her’! Ilona’s eyes still breathe fire 50 years later when she talks about best friend Paola who was bullied at school. She was the only one who stood up for the slightly disabled Paola. Children are honest, but also unrelenting. Anyone who does not fit into the group does not belong. Although the two girls were not in each other’s class, they fought together against the evil outside world. They never let go of each other and have been the very best of friends for almost 50 years now.
There were also problems at Paola’s home. Early in her life, her parents separated and another woman came into the house. That didn’t go well, so Paola preferred to play with friend Ilona and increasingly sat down at the table there. For Ilona’s mother Fien, Paola was an extra child and has always remained that way. Even now, Paola still regularly calls ‘Aunt Fien’ and when she is back in Bovenkarspel she always visits her second mother.
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Ilona and Paola are actually more than friends, they consider themselves more like sisters. ‘Sister girls’, as Ilona calls them. She compares their friendship to breathing; something that is necessary to live. And together they can handle the sometimes harsh outside world.
Paola and Ilona are also not always happy in love. After a marriage that was full of violence and abuse, Ilona is now happily married to Patrick. And Paola was recently proposed to by boyfriend René in Malta. It will be her third wedding with, of course, another party and a new wedding dress. And who else will she be trying on wedding dresses with today but best friend Ilona?
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Accepting each other as you are is the most important ingredient for their long-lasting and close friendship. And although Paola now lives in Hillegom, the distance is no obstacle to their eternal friendship. And luckily there will soon be something beautiful to celebrate again when Paola gives her yes to René.
Who is your bestie?
We have hundreds of friends on Facebook, but there is only one Bestie: your very best friend who you can always count on, with whom you can laugh uncontrollably, share joys and sorrows and with whom your secrets are safe.
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