April 23, 2026
Yulia Lyashuk
Tatyana Priyma
Spring is not just a change of seasons, but a true symbol of renewal, awakening of feelings, and hope. It is in spring that the air fills with the scent of blooming gardens, and the most intimate dreams awaken in women’s hearts. For many, spring is associated with the expectation of a miracle, with faith that only bright and joyful things lie ahead.
Women’s dreams of love are a special topic, infused with tenderness, romance, and belief in the sincerity of feelings. At any age, a woman seeks in love not only passion, but also understanding, care and reliability. Love becomes that source of inspiration that fills life with meaning, gives wings and helps one believe in the best.
The theme of love is truly eternal: it stirs both young girls and mature women, and even those who have seen much in life. After all, love is not just a feeling, but an entire universe in which there is a place for everyone who is ready to open their heart to a new day, new dreams, and new encounters.
Inspired by the charm of spring, the editorial team of Coffee Time Journal decided to ask one of the brightest representatives of the female population of the planet about this magical feeling.
CTj: All of us girls (and surely some boys too) dream of love from a very early age. Dear Yulia, can you recall what ideal love looked like to you back then?
Julia Lyashuk: Honestly, it’s hard for me to remember, because I started dating my future husband at sixteen. At that time, I didn’t have a concept of “ideal love”. Our relationship was built on friendship, and back then I believed that was a wonderful foundation for something more!
How has your perception of love changed with age and life experience?
I think friendship really is a wonderful foundation for building a happy relationship. But with age, I understand that friendship alone is not enough. Of course, there must be respect for each other — when you value and honor the person. Admiration for each other is also important (this doesn’t mean idolizing your partner, but noticing and appreciating their unique qualities).
For me, what matters is also the feeling I experience when I’m with my loved one. That feeling when you are together and want to be even closer — touching, hugging, feeling their embrace. And when they are not physically рядом near, they are always in your thoughts.
How has motherhood influenced your expectations of a partner? Has anything changed in your attitude toward him?
I think it’s important to clearly distinguish between two different roles — Husband and Father of your children. Often, as women, we mix these two concepts. We also need to understand that our roles are different: one is a wife, the other is a mother.
Naturally, as the mother of our shared children, I want to see my partner actively involved in parenting, reliable, sharing responsibilities and being a role model.
But as a partner (husband), it’s important to me, first and foremost, that he knows how to take care of me.
Sometimes, these roles are fulfilled by two different people, as in my case. But my preferences are exactly as I’ve described.
What do you think is more important in a relationship: passion or reliability? Can one exist without the other?
I think it depends on each of us, on our expectations and preferences. I would answer this by suggesting watching my favorite film “The Marrying Man” with Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin. There’s a quote:“…And then there are Vicki and Charlie. They have both love and passion”!
Personally, both qualities are important to me — passion and reliability. I find it hard to do without either. And why should we have to choose?
What does an ideal partner look like to you?
Of course, I understand that perfection doesn’t exist. At the same time, the ideal partner is different for every woman. As a life coach working with many women, I see that for some it’s important that a man provides financially; for others, that he supports them in everything; for others, that he is creative and full of ideas.
For me, the ideal man is someone who knows how to take care of me. Someone who, at times, says: “I’ll take care of this”, relieving me of pressure in certain areas of life.
It’s also very important to me that a man makes me laugh — I know I need to have fun with my partner!
And I value it greatly when my man admires me and tells me so.
What does “loving yourself” mean to you, and is it important?
Loving yourself means, first of all, knowing yourself — who you are. Admiring your strengths and not focusing on your flaws. Taking care of yourself in three key aspects: your spirit, soul, and body.
I believe self-love is very important in order to be happy and to share that happiness with others.
Is it possible to be completely happy without a partner? How?
I lived without a partner for quite a long time. And yes, I’m absolutely sure that happiness is within us! It should not depend on whether someone is next to you to make you happy. We shouldn’t expect that. No one owes us anything — we must generate happiness within ourselves.
For me, first of all, it’s the awareness that I am a daughter of God, that He loves me with unconditional love — that is my place of safety, love, and happiness.
Spending time with myself, I know what makes me happy and apply it when needed.
I believe that when two people who have learned to be happy on their own enter a relationship, that is truly a happy couple.
What is the most valuable thing in a man–woman relationship?
Loyalty. Being faithful and devoted to the person you made that promise to.
What is the most important lesson about love you would want to pass on to your sons?
To love unconditionally. That means not setting conditions. It means loving the good qualities and respecting the less perfect ones. No one is perfect — we should always remember that.
I know your passion for dance and your serious approach to it. Does it help you express your feelings and emotions?
Absolutely! Dance is an expression of what’s inside. As you develop in dance, you sometimes realize there’s so much within you that you never even suspected.
To be honest, expressing my feelings and emotions through dance is the hardest part for me. It’s easier to memorize choreography and technique (I dance five Latin styles) than to show emotions.
Right now, my focus is mostly on technique — I have to think a lot during choreography, so emotions often come last. But I also understand that without emotions, it’s not dance, just “routine”.
Sometimes, when I don’t focus only on technique, I can “dissolve” into the dance — and that brings me immense pleasure.
Have there been moments when dance helped you cope with difficult emotions?
Yes! I actually started dancing to overcome depression that suddenly appeared in my life. Since last September, I’ve been training regularly — three times a week for 2.5 hours, participating in competitions, and setting ambitious goals.
In the past six months, I’ve lost three of the closest people in my life. Staying busy — and dance especially — helps me cope with the emotions that sometimes overwhelm me.
I dance not only in the studio, but also at home. Every morning, I thank God for a new day, pray, and then dance for 7–10 minutes to my favorite music. It sets the tone for the day, activates my feminine energy, inspires me, and fills me with strength.
Dance definitely improves my life!
Do you think business success and a rich personal life are compatible?
I believe everything is compatible if it’s a priority. At different stages of life, our priorities may change. If we know what comes first, second, third — we can combine it all. It’s our life!
What advice would you give to women balancing career, children, and personal life?
I think combining these is not unusual — it’s the norm. This is our life as individuals, wives, and mothers. There’s nothing complicated about it.
My advice is simple: learn to prioritize correctly.
And what advice would you give young women on how not to lose themselves in love?
First of all, learn to love yourself. Spend time alone to know yourself, value yourself, and understand yourself. Then it becomes much harder to lose yourself in love for another person.
On the contrary, with such self-awareness, you can give a lot to your partner and create a kind of synergy — where two people together can achieve far more than they could alone.
Татьяна Прийма
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