Esther Franch is the woman who started it all for us with Legacy Films. Our college friend Tara, who we studied abroad with in Ireland, contacted us about interviewing her husband's Grandma. It was such a coincidence because Charlie and I had been talking about offering this sort of service, but we didn't yet have a name for it or any idea of how to get the word out. When Tara asked, we knew it was a sign that it was something people were interested in!
We met with Tara to learn more about Esther and the topics Tara wanted us to cover in her interview. The number one thing she wanted Esther to talk about was growing up in Italy. That alone made us so excited to interview her! She grew up in a small town in Italy and remembers summers filled with swimming and picking fresh fruit.
Tara also wanted Esther to talk about moving to America, a pivotal moment in her life. Esther moved to America when she was a teenager and remembers settling in Illinois knowing only a few people and not knowing any English. She worked hard and learned the language, got married, and had a family. She was also a very successful business woman!
Two things bring Esther so much joy in life -- her grandchildren and traveling. She absolutely loves being a Nonna and was lucky enough to live close to her grandkids in Illinois. She even moved to the west coast for a few years when one of her kids moved their family. All of her grandchildren love spending time with her and especially love when she makes her best Italian dishes.
Throughout her life, Esther has traveled the world. She particularly loves to visit Hawaii and Italy, of course. The entire family took a trip to Italy together and Esther was able to show them her hometown. That's a real highlight for her! She also tells a great story of how she was traveling with her sisters when she broke her back climbing an olive tree. She's definitely adventurous!
We're so thankful to Tara for asking us to do this for her family, and we feel so honored to have met Esther and learned her story. From the stories she told, to the beautiful spread of food she set-up for us, it's such a beautiful film. Esther closed her interview by sharing one of the songs she sang growing up, getting emotional as she sang. What a precious thing to have recorded - that song and Esther's love for her heritage will live on forever and be passed to future generations!