Thijs Tjaden (58) from Bennebroek has been Carmen Westerkamp’s (58) best friend for 44 years. They are proof that a friendship between man and woman is possible. According to Thijs, there has never been anything sexual between them. Love, but not sexual love. As 14-year-olds, Carmen and Thijs met at the Molenplas in Haarlem where they surfed with a large group of friends. “We just clicked and we laughed straight away, but it was also immediately clear that it was a friendship,” says Carmen.
Unfortunately, the outside world sometimes has difficulty with their friendship. When Thijs got into a relationship, his girlfriend was very jealous. “She did not want me to see Carmen again and I had to choose between them. I can still remember that I gave Carmen a farewell letter and she burst into tears. She did not understand why we could no longer see each other, because we only had good are friends,” says Thijs. “When that relationship ended after nine years, he was with me again that same evening,” Carmen adds. Since then, they have not let anyone come between their friendship.
“Thijs is a Labrador,” says Carmen, “always sweet and kind. You throw a ball and it comes back.” Laughing, Thijs agrees that the wagging Labrador is his nickname. There has never been a fight between the friends. “That’s also my thing,” Thijs explains, “that’s where that Labrador comes around the corner again.”
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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