January 27, 2023 – How about some good, beautiful news going into the weekend?!

All the wishing and praying by many in our Cardie Community over the past year has paid off! The daughter of our photo editor Luda was finally able to flee the conflict in Ukraine and be permitted into the USA … and her mother’s arms!

 

As you can likely tell, this pic was snapped immediately after Masha cleared Customs at Miami International. I asked Luda how her husband Jeff was ever able to get the two of them through the car door — can’t you just feel the tightness of that hug!?

An attorney, Masha has had lifelong dual citizenship in both Russia and Ukraine, until a year ago being able to cross with friends and family back and forth between countries as easily as here in Miami we run up to Fort Lauderdale.

Under the Uniting for Ukraine program, the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service had to approve Luda and Jeff as Masha’s full financial supporters. Then Masha had to meet vaccination and other public health requirements, pass biometric and biographic screening, and vetting security checks. To be reunited with her parents this week, Masha flew from Ukraine, to Poland, and finally to Turkey for her final flight to the United States. And this was all a year in the making.

Masha and Luda both said they have not gotten much sleep, wanting to talk freely and endlessly for the first time in years. And, when they have tried to catch some sleep, they wake up wondering if her arrival is real or just a dream.

Thrilled and relieved to see her daughter, Luda has been quick to tears, saying, “Think of all the others who have not made it. Think of all the lives lost, and pray for their families.” When she brought Masha to introduce her to me (and Gracie!), Luda could not stop crying and saying, “All these Cardies, they have sent me many cards, and told me again and again they have been praying. What beautiful, people, Masha! Their prayers helped bring you here!”

Luda agreed to let me take this shot on the balcony saying, “The Cardies will understand why my eyes are so puffy!”

While we can’t imagine the anguish Masha and her mother have felt this past year, it’s as our Marketing Director Jayme put perfectly, “There’s always hope, and when hope becomes real, it’s so gratifying to see!” Thank you for your beautiful part in that.

Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative

January 27, 2023 – How about some good, beautiful news going into the weekend?!

All the wishing and praying by many in our Cardie Community over the past year has paid off! The daughter of our photo editor Luda was finally able to flee the conflict in Ukraine and be permitted into the USA … and her mother’s arms!

 

As you can likely tell, this pic was snapped immediately after Masha cleared Customs at Miami International. I asked Luda how her husband Jeff was ever able to get the two of them through the car door — can’t you just feel the tightness of that hug!?

An attorney, Masha has had lifelong dual citizenship in both Russia and Ukraine, until a year ago being able to cross with friends and family back and forth between countries as easily as here in Miami we run up to Fort Lauderdale.

Under the Uniting for Ukraine program, the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service had to approve Luda and Jeff as Masha’s full financial supporters. Then Masha had to meet vaccination and other public health requirements, pass biometric and biographic screening, and vetting security checks. To be reunited with her parents this week, Masha flew from Ukraine, to Poland, and finally to Turkey for her final flight to the United States. And this was all a year in the making.

Masha and Luda both said they have not gotten much sleep, wanting to talk freely and endlessly for the first time in years. And, when they have tried to catch some sleep, they wake up wondering if her arrival is real or just a dream.

Thrilled and relieved to see her daughter, Luda has been quick to tears, saying, “Think of all the others who have not made it. Think of all the lives lost, and pray for their families.” When she brought Masha to introduce her to me (and Gracie!), Luda could not stop crying and saying, “All these Cardies, they have sent me many cards, and told me again and again they have been praying. What beautiful, people, Masha! Their prayers helped bring you here!”

Luda agreed to let me take this shot on the balcony saying, “The Cardies will understand why my eyes are so puffy!”

While we can’t imagine the anguish Masha and her mother have felt this past year, it’s as our Marketing Director Jayme put perfectly, “There’s always hope, and when hope becomes real, it’s so gratifying to see!” Thank you for your beautiful part in that.

Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative