Ode to Femke Halsema | Love you, Femke!

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Femke Halsema (I can say Femke) is truly a top-notch woman. Besides successfully being the Praeses of the city of Amsterdam, she was not too shy to accept a drink from me at a get-together. The way she looked at me when I arrived with a glass of foaming beer did something to me. Disappointment, but also joy could be detected in her eyes. Joy because a fresh, young student was thinking of her. Finally something different from someone who simply came and whined for a photo. Disappointment when she told me that she was actually not much of a beer drinker. Indeed, I saw at the time that a glass of white wine was being consumed by her. Shame is the only thing that went through me. How could I? I should have known this. But running away was not an option. She now knew of my existence and nothing could be done about it. ‘My apologies, I didn't realise that,’ I stammered. In vain I tried to foist the beer on one of her tablemates, but they seemed to see through me. I turned and walked away with two glasses of beer in my hands. Two glasses, which I hoped I could bump mine against Femke's, toasting the well-being of the city she runs. I could cry. 

But I never give up. Fetching another round, I ordered an extra glass of white wine. After all, she had told me she was not much of a beer drinker. Determined, I walked up to her table again. I was sure she couldn't turn me down this time. ‘Ms Halsema,’ I said, ’may I offer you something?’ She turned around and a smile appeared on her face. ‘Just call me Femke, you know’, and she accepted the glass from me. The rest of the company at the table was dumbfounded. A student managing to get the mayor's attention? Indeed. Femke had suddenly stopped paying attention to them. A conversation ensued between me and her, and no one mattered anymore. Conversations about Amsterdam, about study, life, poetry and more things passed by. This was the beginning of a long friendship between me and the most powerful woman in town. Nothing could happen to me anymore.

Love u Femke,

Homies for life