Andriana's Path

Andriana knew from childhood what it was like to wait. Waiting for her mother to get in touch. Waiting for her mother’s return, which seemed less and less possible with each passing year. Waiting for the pain of losing her father to become less acute. Waiting for life to give her a chance for something more than just survival.

Andriana was born and raised in the Lviv region. Her childhood was full of warmth, but also difficult trials. When she was eleven, her father died, changing the life of their family forever. Shortly afterwards, her mother, having no other choice, went abroad to work to provide for her daughters. Andriana and her sister, who was a year older, moved in with their grandmother, who took over their upbringing. “Baba” became both father and mother for the girls and worked hard to ensure that they were well provided for and would grow up as worthy people. Her house always smelled of freshly baked bread and strong tea, and her words were simple but important. The sisters would never forget the warmth and care of the years spent with their loving grandmother.

Mom promised to return as soon as she could, and even thousands of kilometres away, she never stopped loving her daughters. But the coordination of documentation in a faraway land was complicated, and it wasn’t until ten years later that she was finally able to hug them again. After that, she returned every year, and although the distance remained, their relationship was strong.

Despite all the difficulties, the sisters studied hard, supported each other, and always dreamed of a great future. After graduating from school, Andriana and her sister entered the Danylo Halytskyi Medical University in Lviv. They graduated together, and together they became pharmacists. They knew what support was. They knew what responsibility was. After completing her internship, Andriana began working as a pharmacist.

In 2015, however, Andriana's life took an unplanned but interesting turn when she met a man online who was from Turkey and was planning a trip to Lviv and looking for someone to show him around the city. He and his friend came to visit for ten days, and Andriana brought her sister along on the adventure. The four of them walked the streets of the old city, and something more than just a friendship began to develop between Andriana and this nice fellow, Nesil. Thus began their serious romance, and after two years, Nesil proposed marriage. (Coincidentally, Andriana’s sister also began a relationship with Nesil’s friend. The two were married and moved to Turkey.

The wedding

On December 6, 2018, Andriana and Nesil signed their marriage contract, and the joyous wedding took place in Turkey. Everything was going well, and even her mother, who was initially against the marriage because she wanted the girls to live near her, later calmed down when she saw that both daughters were happy. Life went on happily. Andriana was learning the language, and her husband was working. However, the 2020 pandemic crisis brought significant difficulties for everyone, including the young family and in 2021, they resolved to move back to Ukraine, where they could have a home, and Andriana could find a job in her specialty. At the same time, they received the wonderful news that Andriana was expecting a child.

However, all plans to move home collapsed in an instant when, in February 2022, the terrible invasion of Ukraine began. At first, Andriana and her sister, like many others, hoped that it would not last long. They could not believe that their usual life would turn into long months of uncertainty and pain. But, despite fear and despair, they did not give up. In Turkey, they joined the volunteer movement, helping to collect anything they could to support Ukraine and its defenders. Every day, Andriana met the same caring people; they sorted medicines, packed clothes, and looked for ways to quickly deliver aid to where it was needed most. Turkish residents responded with great sympathy and support for the suffering Ukrainian people.

Despite everything that was happening, another life was growing inside the young woman. Pregnancy, which should have been the brightest period, took place against the backdrop of constant stress. From worries, toxicosis and sleepless nights, she lost ten kilograms. But despite exhaustion, Andriana did not allow herself to give up. Together with her hard-working husband, they held on because they knew that very soon, a small miracle would arrive in their lives.

In August 2022, their son was born. The joy that his birth brought eclipsed all the horrors of war. For the first time in many months, their heart was filled not with anxiety but with warmth and boundless love. They thought for a long time about what to name the baby, wanting the name to have meaning for both Ukraine and Turkey. Husband Nesil suggested the name Alp, a name that is sonorous, strong, and has deep roots in Turkish culture. But Andriana wanted something Ukrainian, reflective of her heritage. At one time, they had watched the Ukrainian film “To Catch Kaidash” together. Nesil did not know the language, but he remembered the name of one of the characters, Lavrin. He asked Andriana what it meant, and upon hearing the answer, said, “It’s a beautiful name. I like how it sounds.” And so it was decided - their son would be Alp Lavrin - and a name was born that combined two cultures, two worlds, two loves.

Life stabilized for a short time - learning to raise a child, supporting each other, and finding joy in their family. But the war continued, and the future remained uncertain. Andriana and her husband thought for a long time about what to do next. Should they stay in Turkey now and then return to Ukraine when it became possible, or try to find another way? And so, after much thought and worry, they decided to make the move to Canada - for the sake of security, stability and a future for their child. They learned about the Canadian program that accepts Ukrainians and their families. It was a chance for security, stability and the opportunity to build a new life. The program was coming to an end, and there was very little time left. In the last month, they managed to apply for documents, get visas and quickly made plans to depart.

So Andriana, her husband and her young son set off on a long journey. Their first city they arrived in was Calgary. Unable to find work there, the young family then moved to Toronto, where Nesil had to work hard to provide the family with housing and the essentials for living. He did repairs and delivered food on a bicycle, where he fell and got up again because he had a young son, for whom he was ready to do anything. Every day brought new difficulties, and finally, an idea appeared that seemed like the only way out: Andriana and her son would return to Turkey until her husband got back on his feet. With sadness, they bought travel tickets and prepared for a separation that tore at their hearts.

And as chance would have it, at the time when Andriana and her husband found themselves in a heartbroken situation in Canada, an unexpected turn of fate intervened. Years ago, in her distant childhood, a neighbour with two sons lived next to Andriana. Fate had separated their paths when, back in 2000, this family emigrated to Canada. Through a mutual friend, Andriana's mother learned that one of those boys, Volodya Nesterenko, had become a priest and lived in Toronto. Father Volodymyr was also part of a volunteer organization supporting Ukrainians in Canada. Andriana's mother found his phone number and asked him to help her children. So the long-time neighbour from Ukraine helped the young family with all the necessary documents, provided them with an apartment for the first time, and introduced them to other volunteers from the Grassroots Response to the Ukrainian Crisis. There, they met a volunteer, Marina, a woman with a kind heart and a great desire to help. She not only offered support, but also helped them move from Toronto, allowing them to start a new chapter in their lives in Waterloo Region, where there were better living and working conditions.

That fall, a new Turkish restaurant, Agha, opened in Waterloo. It was a real stroke of luck because it was a Turkish establishment, and it was at that very moment that Nesil was looking for a stable job. He passed the interview and got a place in the kitchen. So, step by step, their life began to improve. Andriana felt relieved: they had a place to live, and her husband had a stable and well-paid job. This allowed her to focus on learning English and raising her son, knowing that they were finally on the right path. Andriana and Nesil are infinitely grateful to fate and all the people that they’ve met in Canada. They felt supported in the most difficult moments and received the help that they needed to get back on their feet and start dreaming about the future.

Andriana's immediate plans include enrolling her son in kindergarten and getting a job as an assistant at a local pharmacy. She intends to confirm her diploma and work in her specialty. The family plans to stay here forever so that their son can grow up in peace, tranquillity and among a diversity of cultures. They were impressed by the history of this country, and most of all by the people who live here, who are sincere and open to the world. They are also confident that one day, they will be able to meet and hug their entire family, which fate has scattered to different corners of the planet. But we know that Andriana knows how to wait...

One day, while walking through the park in Waterloo, Andriana looked up at the clear sky, took a deep breath of the fresh, frosty air and thought to herself that here, in this distant, but already familiar country, their family has found its new home. She squeezed Nessil's hand while their little Alp Lavrin joyfully ran ahead, laughing and catching fragile, unique snowflakes that were circling in the air like small winter stars. Perhaps this is exactly what fate looks like - unexpected, changeable, but always leading where the light awaits.