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
How wonderful!! God bless you all. Praying for Ukraine.
Masha and Luda — How wonderful for you!! We all needed to see this!
Congratulations on your reunion! Welcome to America. Prayers for Ukraine still, of course. 🇺🇦
Pat Fischer Jan 27, 2023
Marsha, welcome to the USA. Blessings to you & your family.
So happy to read this & see your beautiful picture. I can just imagine that hug. Prayers for the people in Ukraine continue.
Welcome to America, Masha! We are so happy to hear about your arrival and joyous reunion with your Mom. Congratulations!
Hallelujah! Welcome from an Ohio Cardie who has two wonderful daughters and feels your JOY right down to her toes! Prayers won’t stop….
Dear Luda and Masha,
What a beautiful thing to see you reunited after such a long time apart. Welcome to the United States, dear Masha, and to the Atlantic shores if Surfside’s beach. I wish you many hugs and tears and lots of late night catching up.
Anne
I’m so thrilled for all of you! A good friend of mine was a Fulbright Scholar in Ukraine several years ago and speaks highly of the people she met. The resilience of the Ukrainian people is inspiring and I hope and pray a much deserved victory will be theirs/yours soon.
I’m so glad they are safely reunited! Hugs say it all.
So glad that you two have been safely reunited! I’m sure the uncertainty of the past year has been agonizing. It’s wonderful to see you together! xo
What a beautiful story. Welcome home, Masha! Please be assured of my prayers for you and your family.
Greetings! We both, me and my mom, are very thankful for all support and prayers we have got from u all, guys. Thanks to all of you the God reunited me with my family which I have not seen for years.
We both will never be able to return this miracle to you. But the God will. Because the kindness is always rewarded!
With love, Masha and Luda