Nataliia & Javiera
Nataliia: "People often say it’s hard to find real friends as an adult. I’m not sure if that’s true — or maybe I just shouldn’t consider myself an adult — because I’ve been lucky to find some really good ones.
I met Javi at work, and it was instantly easy to become friends with her. She has such a sunny personality, a great sense of humour, and is one of the most supportive people I know. But beyond that she is extremely strong. Physically (Javi lifted me without my consent multiple times) and emotionally - she believes in girl power and she is living it.
Since I met her, I’ve grown so much — in my career, in confidence, and in how I see the world. She inspired and supported me through all difficult curves.
And yet, no matter how much we grow or how serious life gets, every time we meet we somehow turn into two happy, ridiculous babies. That’s the magic of it — she reminds me that strength and joy can absolutely coexist."
Javiera: "Friendship is being there for the other. But don't confuse being there like something tangible or quantifiable, it's more of a state, a presence, a reassurance that you are not alone in this life. Friendship goes beyond the daily check ups, beyond the kilometers that separates you, beyond the daily life. Friendship is work but friendship is a rest/peace."
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Juliette & Monique
Juliette: "Monique's friendship for me is safety, love, comfort and warmth.
A shoulder i can cry on, and a smile i can rely on.
Every conflict ends up in growth and understanding, every simple hang out turns into a funny memory.
She has the purest heart, dirtiest mind and weirdest sense of humor.
She's the one I go to in every situation and I wish I could give back at least just a fragment of what she brings into my life.
I dont think I can even reduce calling what we have a friendship, it's a peculiar bond that feels more like family. Like the way we dont choose our family, and we actually didn't really chose each other. It just happened, it was meant to be, and she was meant to be my best friend. She also doesn't really have a choice to be stuck with me now."
A shoulder i can cry on, and a smile i can rely on.
Every conflict ends up in growth and understanding, every simple hang out turns into a funny memory.
She has the purest heart, dirtiest mind and weirdest sense of humor.
She's the one I go to in every situation and I wish I could give back at least just a fragment of what she brings into my life.
I dont think I can even reduce calling what we have a friendship, it's a peculiar bond that feels more like family. Like the way we dont choose our family, and we actually didn't really chose each other. It just happened, it was meant to be, and she was meant to be my best friend. She also doesn't really have a choice to be stuck with me now."
Monique: "I truly believe everything happens for a reason. Sometimes in the moments you stop looking you find what you need the most. A smile, a laugh, a memory... I can't remember a time you didn't feel like home. Thank you for being the laughter that echoes throughout my hardest days, my rock in the moments I feel weak. Know that I'll always be here for you for the good and the bad and always love you for you. Some would say what we have is one in a million and for that I will forever be grateful. My best friend, my platonic soulmate, My Juju."
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Natalia & Aarti
Natalia: "I see Aarti as a kindred spirit — someone I connected with, not just because of our shared experiences as immigrants or our similar family and educational backgrounds, but because she understands me on a deeper level. With Aarti, I can laugh, dance, joke, and gossip, but also open up about my insecurities, deepest fears, hopes, and dreams.
I met her during a time of big change in my life, when I was transitioning jobs and feeling lost. She grounded me and helped me see that big changes can be faced with strength — especially when you have good friends by your side. She was a constant, steady presence during the hardest time of my life, when I was healing from a life-changing injury, and I was lucky to stand by her side when she made her dream of going back to school come true.
No matter what challenges life throws our way, I know we’ll be there for each other, every step of the way."
I met her during a time of big change in my life, when I was transitioning jobs and feeling lost. She grounded me and helped me see that big changes can be faced with strength — especially when you have good friends by your side. She was a constant, steady presence during the hardest time of my life, when I was healing from a life-changing injury, and I was lucky to stand by her side when she made her dream of going back to school come true.
No matter what challenges life throws our way, I know we’ll be there for each other, every step of the way."
Aarti: "A friendship built on honesty, laughter, and endless love, where I can truly be myself and feel at home. Natalia has brought so much light into my life; her strength, humor, and ways with her heart inspire me every day. After her spinal cord injury, she’s faced life with the kind of grace and courage that leaves everyone around her in absolute wonder and awe. One of my favourite things in the world is dancing with her, because somehow, no matter what, she always finds a way to make life feel musical and magical."
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Kostya & Alona
On this little Polaroid, you can see one of the last photos my friend Kostya and I took before the war started in 2022. I think it perfectly captures our friendship. Every time I look at it, I feel warmth and a little sadness, somehow it simultaneously feels like it was just yesterday and a million years ago.
На цьому маленькому полароїді ви бачите одне з останніх фото яке я і мій друг Костя зробили до війни у 2022 році. Мені здається воно ідеально передає нашу дружбу. Кожний раз коли дивлюся на нього мені стає дуже тепло і трошки сумно, якимось чином наче одночасно це було вчора і мільйон років тому.
The next Polaroid was taken in February 2022; it was our last photo together. A month later, he volunteered to join the Azov Battalion. And on January 22, 2026, it will be two years since he was killed defending Ukraine.
He will forever remain 25, and I will forever keep the memories of one of the kindest, bravest, and funniest people I’ve ever had the honor to call my friend.
Recently, I spent a long time thinking about whether there’s a feeling stronger than love.
Maybe it’s loss.
Maybe it’s loss.
Sadly, the best of us are the ones who die. Cherish your loved ones.
Наступний полароїд зроблений у лютому 2022-го року, це було наше останнє сумісне фото. Через місяць він піде добровольцем у полк Азов. А 22 січня 2026 року виповнюється два роки як він загинув захищаючи Україну.
Йому назавжди залишилося 25 років, а в мене назавжди залишила спогади про одну з найдобріших, найхоробріших та найсмішніших людей яку я маю честь називати своїм другом.
Нещодавно я довго думала чи є почуття сильніше за любов. Напевно це втрата.
Нажаль помирають найкращі з нас, цінуйте своїх близьких.
