For Nova Stevens, it was a dream come true as she finally got her heart’s desire fulfilled. The stunning Canada’s representative at the upcoming Miss Universe reunited with her family in Ethiopia after 21 years.
Taking to her social media, Nova expressed how difficult it has been for her to live without her family all these years. Nova wrote, “Words can’t explain how I feel right now. I’ll try my best to express all these emotions I’m currently embodying. It has taken me 21 years to reunite with my family. Being separated and living alone without my family has not been easy for me; neither has it been for them. My strength comes from my family.”
Nova went on to talk about her mother who is an incredibly strong and beautiful woman. She wrote, “They are some of the strongest people I know. My mother. I don’t even have enough words to describe how incredible, strong and beautiful she is. If I can be half the woman my mother is, I’ll be extremely happy. For a parent to send a child away on their own is one of the biggest sacrifices. My parents took a chance and sent me away to Canada for the opportunity to have a better life. We were a part for so many years but the bond never faded. It was always there and today I saw and felt the strength and love of my family both near and far.”
For Nova, it’s a bittersweet feeling and she explained why, “I’m both happy and sad. Happy, because I finally got to see and embrace my family and tell them 'I LOVE YOU' in person. Sad: because of the conditions they are living in. My mother got out of the United Nations camp on January 21 , 2021 after 8 years of being stuck there due to the conflict in South Sudan. The fact that she was able to make it out there alive is a miracle on its own.”
She also recited the incidences of the horrific state in the camps where her mother survived. She talked about the incidences where her mother was tried to burn alive and there were times when she couldn’t hear from her mother and Nova imagined worst case scenarios. She also truly believes that god made this happen for her and bought her back to her family.
She thanked everyone who made her dream come true as she wrote, “I am forever grateful to everyone that has been Instrumental in making my dream come true. Ethiopian Airlines, thank you so much for bringing me back to my roots. God knows had it not been for your generous sponsorship, I wouldn’t have been able to see them this year. To my God given family Miguel and Gui of @mgmode, my National Director of Miss Universe Canada @davila.denis , I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for me and for my family. My heart is full of love.”
This, indeed, is one of the most magical moments witnessed in pageantry.