The power of friendships
‘We have been friends for every decade of our lives’ More than a quarter of us meet our best friend for life in childhood. Some of these friendships survive oceans and decades. We meet three women who couldn’t be without their bestie
Sue Willis, 69, from Surrey, met Kiki Wilsdon when they were eight years old
Kiki was assigned to look after me when I arrived at boarding school and we became lifelong friends.
I was naughty and sporty, and Kiki was well behaved and hated sport. We have a photo of us running the three-legged race – the only race Kiki ever won, because she was tied to me!
We lived near each other in Hertfordshire. In the holidays, she used to ride her horse over to my house.
At 17, we both passed our driving tests. We were so proud of our first cars – mine a Triumph Herald and Kiki’s an Austin 1100.
We moved to London in the 60s, wearing mini skirts and maxi-coats. Just before we both married in 1971, we drove to Devon and stayed in a little thatched farmhouse B&B.
In March 1971, I married Bryan, now 74, and in July that year, Kiki married Roger. We were each other’s bridesmaids.
Kiki was the first to become a mother. She had Sarah, now 45, and then twins Lucy and Richie, now 43. I’m godmother to the twins, and Kiki is godmother to my eldest, Tammi, 41, and my third, Pip, 39. I also have two other children – Kim, 36, and Jae, 40. Richie and Pip both have learning difficulties, and being able to talk to each other has been a lifeline.
We go to school reunions and I love that we can remember each other’s parents and the houses we grew up in. We also play Scrabble every day on Facebook.
We’re having a joint 70th birthday party this year. I feel proud to look back on a friendship that has accompanied us through every decade of our lives.