Beth Hamilton Photography

In the 2008-2009 school year the Hamiltons hosted a foreign exchange student from Russia, Valeriya (“Lera”). She quickly became one of the family. In 2014, she came back to the states for a visit. I went out with the three girls and took a few pictures of Tori and Rachel with their “Russian sister.” I also did individuals of each of them (although I’m only sharing individuals of Tori today).

One thing I can’t help but remember when I think of Tori is how much she liked my cooking. That may seem like a selfish thing to remember, but I love to cook and bake, especially when it’s for other people and especially when they really enjoy it. I’m sure she didn’t know how much it meant to me, but she made numerous comments to me about it over the last 5 years or so, when cooking really became a hobby for me. One weekend when she came into town and stayed at our house, I planned to make banana chocolate chip scones. When I told her about it, I remember her saying “I was hoping you were going to bake while I was here!” That made my heart so happy and I loved that time spent with her in the kitchen.