When the war in Ukraine erupted, Tanya faced an impossible choice: stay in her beloved Odessa, the city she called home, or venture into the unknown. “I didn't want to leave my home,” Tanya recalls, the pain of that choice still fresh. But she knew she might not have the chance to leave later if the war continued to worsen. So, she gathered her courage and left, holding onto the hope that she would one day return.

Tanya's journey began with a temporary stay in the Netherlands, where she found refuge. The two months she spent there were unexpectedly comforting. Her sponsor, Jerry, a distant family member, provided a safe haven, renting a small house for Tanya and her daughter. “It was a great time, really,” Tanya says. When the U.S. government opened its doors to Ukrainians, she and her daughter moved to Missoula, a place they had visited before and now would call home.

Life in Missoula is different, but in some ways, it's a welcome change. Tanya finds driving easier, the traffic less chaotic than in Odessa. She works hard, juggling two jobs, and finds solace in the busyness. After just over two years in Missoula, Tanya has found moments of joy in her new life. She has rekindled her passion for playing the guitar- encouraged by a gifted guitar from another long-time Missoula resident who is originally from Ukraine.

Back in Odessa, she used to play with friends, often strumming Russian and Ukrainian songs and now in Missoula, she has learned some American songs. Learning to play guitar was a gift from her father when she was 14, “I remember asking him to teach me, and the first thing he did was look at my nails,” she laughs. “He told me I had to choose - long nails or guitar.” she adds with a smile. “In the end, I chose the guitar, but it wasn't easy to give up my nails!” In adulthood her father continued to encourage her to pursue music, before the war, she had planned to take drum lessons. She left Odessa before she got the chance to learn and on her way out she chose to leave them behind. However upon arriving in Amsterdam she stumbled upon a pile of discarded drumsticks. Feeling it was a sign, she took two with her. Now they serve as a small piece of home, a reminder that one day, she'll pick up where she left off.

Tanya's daughter has also adjusted well. At 11, she's a social butterfly, making friends easily at school and excelling in gymnastics. “She's perfect,” Tanya says. She even helps her mother with English, a language Tanya knew but struggled to fully understand when she first arrived. “She is my English teacher,” Tanya says with a laugh.

For Tanya, the definition of "home" is both simple and profound. She describes it as any place where she can rest her head for the night. But beyond this immediate need, "home" carries a deeper significance. “Home, for me, is where I want to live all my life,” Tanya shares. While her apartment in Missoula provides her with a sense of stability and safety, her heart still belongs to Odessa. “Odessa is my home,” she says. In Odessa, Tanya's life was rich with the love of family and friends. She reminisces about the simple joys of spending time with her loved ones, celebrating holidays, enjoying the warmth of summer days, and cherishing the countless moments that defined her life there. “I love Odessa, not only because it's beautiful, but because it holds all my family, my friends, and so many memories,” she reflects. She misses them deeply. She keeps in touch with her loved ones back home, but the distance is hard. “I am sad to miss the day we win the war,” she confesses. “I want to share the triumph and emotion with all the people in Odessa.”

In Missoula, Tanya is slowly building a new life. She's grateful for the community that has supported her, from the mechanic who helped her buy a car to the organizations that have provided assistance. Most of all, Tanya is thankful to Jerry for giving her the opportunity to move to Missoula, providing a roof over her head, and helping her obtain her driver's license. Here in Missoula, she finds solace in the community and the new opportunities that come with it, yet Odessa is never far from her thoughts. For Tanya, "home" is not just a place on a map; it's where her heart is, where her memories live, and where she hopes to return one day.