Besties for life!

I was reading on VE day anniversary. War is a nasty thing! However war also bring friendship. Every cloud has it's silver lining.

The Netherlands and Canada are 2 nations with different attributes. One is extremely large, the other is a dwarf. (but Dutch are among the tallest people on earth). One is in North America, the other is in Europe. There are not much similarities between the two nations but they are BFFs.

In fact, one would never known that both countries are besties. Commonly known Canadian allies are the US and UK.

The Nazi occupation in Netherlands brings woes to the Dutch. Anne Frank was captured, the royal family lived in exile in Canada. From what I have read recently, the Dutch are so grateful with Canadians.

Prior to reading that article, I knew that one of the Dutch princess was born in Ottawa. To preserve the princess nationality, the Canadian government declared the hospital's maternity ward, a temporary international territory. Nationality in both countries are decided differently. In order to be a Canadian, jus soli is applied. The Dutch, jus sanguinis. In laymen terms, Anybody born in Canada would automatically be a Canadian. Any body born to Dutch parents would automatically be a Dutch.

While the hospital is in Ottawa, in paper, the Princess wasn't born in Canada, to a Dutch mother,the future Queen Juliana. Making her Dutch.

And every year the Dutch would send tulips to Canada as a token of appreciation.

Little that I know, Canadian troops helped (a lot) with the Dutch liberation from Nazi occupation. Prior to this, I associate Canadian army with Vimy Ridge in France.

Now I know, Canadians not only helped the Dutch royal family, they helped in liberating the Dutch too. No wonder the Dutch are so grateful.

Well, Dutch bring beauty to Canadians too, not only the tulip festival, Cobie Smulders too. Probably the most famous Canadian in American sitcoms.

A friendship spanning 2 continents, more than 70 years and more than 51 million people.

The Dutch are celebrating their Liberation Day on the 5th of May every year... (Dutch Cinco de Mayo?) and the Canadians are enjoying their tulips this month too.

(Harry Bond J and Sacha Stevenson)