Maria Mokhova fled her apartment in Kyiv on February 24th. As she could only bring the most necessary belongings, not knowing when or if she would get back to her home, she brought her Ann Demeulemeester boots. When I met Maria in Berlin, she was still wearing those boots. They had followed her on the journey that was the beginning of our friendship. In February, I had her account recommended for its brutally honest war coverage. I immediately followed it. Shortly after, I realized we were texting or phoning each other daily. When we finally met, it felt like I’d known her for years. It felt like her eyes encapsulated all the fear, the sorrow, the horror of all the Ukrainian citizens. It is impossible to describe her inspiring her thoughtful and unconquerable mind, even when facing everyone’s worst nightmare.