Los Angeles, July 23 (IANS) Kim Kardashian and her boyfriend Kanye West were friends for eight years before embarking on a romantic relationship. The socialite feels that's the reason behind their crackling chemistry.

Me and Kanye spend time as friends first and I see a real benefit in that. Once a relationship goes past the honeymoon phase, you need the strong base of friendship to keep it working, femalefirst.co.uk quoted Kardashian as saying.

The 31-year-old, who split from husband Kris Humphries October last year after just 72 days of marriage, has been dating the rapper since April.

She says West pampers her, and makes her feel extremely special.

It's been tough since the break up of my marriage but I always believed I would find love again and I am so happy I have. I am always smiling in Kanye's company and he makes me feel so special, she said.