06/06/2026
Exactly 25 years ago, my family made one of the biggest decisions of our lives and moved to America.
During my BNI presentation this week, I shared a story I've never forgotten. When we were preparing to leave in the late 1990s - early 2000s, my parents strictly forbade us from telling anyone. In many post-Soviet countries at the time, organized crime was a part of everyday life. People who sold their homes and suddenly had cash could become targets. The risks were extremely real.
Looking back, that memory reminds me how much we sometimes take for granted: safety, stability, functioning institutions, and the ability to build a future through hard work.
America is not perfect. No country is. But 25 years later, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities, freedom, and security this country has given my family.
That gratitude became even deeper in 2022 when I was forced to flee Ukraine with my two children after the war began. Having a home, family, and community here in Madison, WI, gave us a safe place to return to during one of the most difficult periods of our lives. It reminded me that having somewhere safe to go is a blessing many people never experience.
Here's to 25 years in Wisconsin, to new beginnings, and to never taking safety, family, and opportunities for granted. 🇺🇸❤️
PS AI tried its best 😁but it still not perfect
