Two sisters were separated, but then a strange twist of fate brought them face to face 73 years later Difficult circumstances
Unfortunately, the circumstances made a meeting impossible. The pandemic had its full impact, and travel restrictions were imposed. Harriet and Linda simply had no way to meet.
The only solution was to stay in touch over the phone and bridge the time until they could finally meet in person.
Frustrating wait
This situation must have been very frustrating. They had so much to discuss, and a face-to-face conversation would certainly have been better.
Of course, they were not the only ones in this situation, but that did not make the waiting time any easier, especially considering what they had discovered about their connection to each other.
More than expected
After both independently signed up on a website to research their ancestors, they received far more information than they had expected.
They were certainly excited about discovering their ancestors' stories, but they were certainly not prepared for what the results would reveal about their living relatives.
Something big
Thanks to this website, Harriet came to a groundbreaking realization. She had a sister whom she had never known in her 76 years of life. How could that be?
She wanted to know more, so she looked up the details of this supposed sister and sent her a message. On the other end was Linda, and together they uncovered the truth.
Increasingly common
Harriet and Linda are just two of the many people whose lives have been forever changed by genealogy websites and at-home DNA tests.
Before these tests became so popular in recent years, stories of long-lost siblings being reunited were naturally rare. Nowadays, such stories are much more common.
Devastating
Of course, this is not always a good thing. Many people who learn about previously unknown relatives may not want to meet this suddenly appearing person.
Such a significant and life-altering discovery can indeed be devastating.
Unwanted news
Just last year, for example, a story went online that shows how wrong the discovery of unknown relatives can go.
A woman had made a revelation that shook her world and sought advice. She had discovered the identity of one of her fourth cousins - it was her boyfriend.
Clarification
Unfortunately, circumstances stood in the way of a meeting. The pandemic showed its worst side, and travel became increasingly difficult.
Harriet and Linda simply couldn't find each other. The only option was to continue staying in touch by phone and make the best of the situation.
Harriet and Linda
This waiting time must have been frustrating, to say the least. Both had so much to discuss, and it would have been better to meet in person.
Discovering each other's existence after more than 70 years must have been a shock for both. How would they deal with it?
Highly motivated
Thanks to a broadcast on KMGH, we got the answer. This footage was taken at Denver International Airport, where Linda was waiting for Harriet's arrival.
Linda is visibly excited in the clip. She beams and says, "I'm so excited. I can just imagine what she's thinking right now."
A long wait
As mentioned before, the pandemic had delayed the planned meeting. Nearly two years had passed since they made the shocking discovery that they were sisters.
But during that time, they had not been idle. They had researched and tried to find out what had happened in their childhood - and now they knew the whole story.
The whole story
When the sisters' parents were teenagers, their mother became pregnant with Harriet. Since they were only 18 at the time and unable to raise the child, it was put up for adoption.
A few years later, they had another child - Linda - whom they raised. They never revealed the truth about their first child and took that secret to their graves.
Kept Secret
But now, at the ages of 76 and 73, Harriet and Linda were finally going to meet. At the airport, Linda told the KMGH team, "I received a message from Harriet saying, 'I think we might be related.' We were 100% in agreement, but our parents never told anyone."
Not Complete Strangers
Of course, at this point, the sisters were no longer complete strangers, as they had regular contact in the two years leading up to this face-to-face meeting.
But now, after Harriet had departed from Sacramento and landed in Denver, it was finally time to embrace and greet each other in person.
Clear Resemblance
The film crew is on site, and the camera zooms in on Linda as she eagerly awaits her sister's arrival. As she catches the first glimpse of Harriet, her eyes light up with excitement and surprise. "Oh my goodness, it's really her!" she exclaims, almost incredulously, as emotions fill her face.
She reaches out her arms and says, "Come, let me take a good look at you." When the two women face each other, it's almost like looking in a mirror. Their resemblance is striking, from their facial features to their body posture. Tears of joy and emotion fill Linda's eyes as she exclaims, "It's unbelievable how much we look alike. You truly resemble a younger version of me!"
Can't Stop Staring
But it wasn't just the physical resemblance that the sisters noticed. Linda also sees their mother in Harriet and remarks on how much she resembles her.
She says to her newfound sister, "I can't believe how much you resemble our mother - our shared mother... I can't stop staring at you."
A Touch of Melancholy
The two sisters are clearly thrilled to finally meet, but there is also a touch of melancholy in this situation. One of the women knew their parents, while the other did not.
Linda recognizes this after showing Harriet some family photos and remarks, "This picture is sad because you're not in it."
'Tis the Season...
Still overwhelmed with emotions, Harriet and Linda decide to continue this special moment at Linda's home. They leave the airport and head towards Linda's house, nestled in a peaceful suburban neighborhood. During the drive, they share memories, stories, and thoughts about what has happened over the years. Finally, they arrive at Linda's cozy home.
Upon their arrival, they are greeted by a festively decorated house, illuminated with the glow of Christmas. String lights adorn the facade, and a beautifully adorned Christmas tree sparkles through the window. Harriet takes a deep breath and says, "It feels so warm and inviting, just in time for Christmas." Linda nods approvingly and adds, "Yes, it's the most wonderful time of the year, and this year it's even more special thanks to you." She smiles and opens the door to her home, ready to share many cherished memories with her newfound sister.
Everything in Its Own Time
The two women, Harriet and Linda, are overjoyed about how everything has unfolded, despite the long wait to finally meet. With gleaming eyes, Linda tells the KMGH team, "I think we found each other at exactly the right time." Harriet nods in agreement and adds with a warm smile, "Yes, I believe that everything happens when it's meant to happen. Life has its own timing."
An Emotional Experience
This sentiment seemed to ring true for Cheryl Becker as well. In a situation that Harriet and Linda could certainly relate to, Cheryl discovered that much of what she believed about her family was not true.
This truth came to light after she underwent a DNA test. The shock and confusion were overwhelming, and she felt devastated. However, this discovery led to a turn of events in her life that she never could have imagined.
Cheryl's Past
Before all of this happened, Cheryl's life seemed perfectly normal. She worked at a medical facility in Connecticut and led a happy life with her partner, Ralph, at home.
Everything seemed to be in order. And during her time at the hospital, she always had one person she could rely on.
A Close Friend
Yes, Cheryl and a colleague named Linda Rinaldi had become close friends over time. They shared many moments together, and their strong bond made the workday more bearable for both of them.
It seemed like a lifelong friendship was forming between them. But a decision was about to change everything.
Losing Touch
After much consideration, Linda made the difficult decision to leave the area where she had created so many memories. She felt it was time for a new chapter in her life and decided to leave her job at the hospital. This move not only affected her professional life, but also her personal relationships. As a direct result of this move, she lost regular contact with her close friend Cheryl, with whom she had shared many precious moments at the hospital.
For both women, this sudden separation was surely painful and filled with emotions. But despite the distance and the changes in Linda's life, she never forgot her old friend Cheryl and kept their memories close to her heart.
"The Kindest Person I've Ever Known"
In fact, Linda had only positive words for Cheryl when she spoke with TODAY in December 2021. She said, "She has always been the kindest person I've ever known."
What a compliment! Despite the many years that had passed since their last contact, these two would reunite under the most incredible circumstances.
Turning Point
After Linda moved away, Cheryl continued to enjoy her life with Ralph in their cozy home. The following years went by without major incidents, and it seemed like she was experiencing a peaceful and calm time. But a seemingly innocuous event would disrupt this harmony and turn everything upside down.
Genealogy
Over time, Ralph developed a growing fascination with genealogy. Many people become engrossed in this passion, especially when they are curious about their own past.
But Ralph didn't want to delve into the depths of his family history alone. He hoped to involve Cheryl in this journey.
A Gift
With this thought in mind, Ralph gave his wife a DNA test kit. Although Cheryl already had an idea of her ancestry, she was still curious to see what this test could reveal.
Could there be a part of her family tree that she didn't know about? Without hesitation, she decided to take the test.
Surprising Results
The unexpected result of the DNA test was a true shock for Cheryl. Until that moment, she had been firmly convinced that she knew her family roots exactly. She had always believed that her ancestors hailed from both France and Italy. This belief was a fundamental part of her identity and had shaped her view of herself and her family history.
But with the latest results in hand, she now faced a puzzle that not only confused her but also challenged her emotionally. What she thought she knew was suddenly called into question, and she had to grapple with an entirely new truth.
"All I Knew"
To elaborate further, Cheryl gave an interview to the TV program TODAY in December 2021. She recalled, "I was told that I came from the British Isles. It wasn't specified that I was completely Irish. But it also wasn't said that I was Italian, and that was all I knew."
Difficult Times
Suddenly, Cheryl's world seemed to be turned upside down. Her entire life plan was called into question. Who wouldn't be shaken by such news?
There was really a lot to process. During her conversation with TODAY, she provided deeper insights into her emotional state.
"Who Am I?"
"I didn't know who I was," Cheryl remarked pensively. "I looked in the mirror and asked myself, 'Who am I, really?' It was hard for me." But the emotional challenges didn't end there.
As a consequence of the results, she also had to come to terms with the truth about her parents.
A Terrible Revelation
Yes, according to the test results, Cheryl's father was not her biological father, even though he had loved and raised her as such her entire life.
Deeply affected by this realization, she expressed, "I don't think he ever knew that he wasn't my real father."
Risks of the Tests
Of course, Cheryl's story is a perfect example of the risks that come with such DNA tests. Yes, they can bring about wonderful discoveries, but there is always another side.
There is always a slight risk of uncovering things that could shake families and relationships.
An Emotional Minefield
And as seen with Cheryl, the mental pressure of dealing with shocking results can also be a significant burden. Feelings of stress, guilt, fear, and anger can arise, and some may find it all too much. Who would have thought that the truth could weigh so heavily?
Good News?
After the initial shock wore off for Cheryl, something surprising came to light. As she delved deeper into the provided information, a long-lost family member was revealed.
Suddenly, Ralph's partner was wide awake and extremely curious. Could there possibly be good news after all the excitement?
Familiar Name
Upon closer examination, Cheryl realized that this person wasn't actually "long-lost" or a distant relative. In fact, the former hospital employee recognized the name almost immediately.
Who could it be? She recalled this special moment during her interview with TODAY.
"The Same Person"
Cheryl remembered, "It said that I was closely related to this person named Linda Rinaldi. I said to my husband, 'I used to work with Linda Rinaldi.'
I could immediately recognize that it was the same person. It only said 'Closely related or First cousin.'" Who would have thought?
Good News?
After the initial shock wore off for Cheryl, something surprising came to light. As she delved deeper into the provided information, a long-lost family member was revealed.
Suddenly, Ralph's partner was wide awake and extremely curious. Could there possibly be good news after all the excitement?
Familiar Name
Upon closer examination, Cheryl realized that this person wasn't actually "long-lost" or a distant relative. In fact, the former hospital employee recognized the name almost immediately.
Who could it be? She recalled this special moment during her interview with TODAY.
"The Same Person"
Cheryl remembered, "It said that I was closely related to this person named Linda Rinaldi. I said to my husband, 'I used to work with Linda Rinaldi.'
I could immediately recognize that it was the same person. It only said 'Closely related or First cousin.'" Who would have thought?
Attracted to
As Cheryl reflected on their time at the medical facility in Connecticut, a memory surfaced. She continued, "There was something about [Linda] that I was drawn to. For some reason, I felt this connection to her, I don't know what it was." Now we know!
Getting in touch
After the astonishing discovery about her possible connection to Linda, Cheryl knew exactly what to do. Her next step was obvious and crucial - she had to contact Linda as soon as possible to gain clarity and understand their relationship. She searched for Linda's contact information and was relieved when she finally found her phone number. Without hesitation, she sent her former colleague a message expressing her feelings and the desire to have a conversation.
Linda, equally surprised and touched by the message, later shared the content and her reaction to Cheryl's words in an interview with TODAY. Both women found the exchange of messages profound and heartfelt, a sign of the special bond that seemed to be forming between them.
"I know you're my sister"
Linda explained, "[Cheryl] said we were related, no more. I said, 'Wouldn't it be funny if we were sisters?' And she says, 'I know you're my sister.'"
But was Cheryl right? Could their old friendship have played a role in this conclusion?
The big revelation
Well, after reuniting after many years, the two underwent another DNA test to determine the exact nature of their relationship. And as it turned out, Cheryl was spot on!
Yes, she and Linda were half-sisters with a 16-month age difference between their respective births. It was like something straight out of a Hollywood movie!
Family history
So what does this say about Cheryl and Linda's respective family histories? Who was the person from their past that connected them? With the knowledge they now had about their shared "father," Cheryl concluded that they had the same father. He was married to Linda's mother before apparently having an affair with Cheryl's mother.
Unanswered questions
Certainly, Linda and Cheryl were fairly certain about their circumstances, but they couldn't receive concrete confirmation. Why is that?
Well, fate unfortunately had it that their parents had passed away when the two women conducted the DNA tests. Therefore, many questions they would have had will remain unanswered forever.
Reactions
Regarding their reactions to the incredible news, Linda shared with TODAY that she was overwhelmed. She jokingly said, "I never thought I would find someone who has the same sense of humor as me!"
After nearly seven decades without siblings, it was a real joy for her to finally have a sister in her life.
Cheryl's perspective
Cheryl, on the other hand, had a slightly more emotional response. She hadn't forgotten the amount of stress and sadness the first DNA test Ralph gave her had brought.
But now that Linda was back in her life, she finally saw a light at the end of a very long tunnel.
"A blessing"
Cheryl expressed her deep feelings and said, "This is truly a blessing. Reconnecting with Linda has stirred so much within me and helped me find myself again. It's not just rediscovering a lost relative, it's also the warmth and heartfelt welcome that Linda has shown me.
This moment, these feelings, they have been the turning point in an otherwise confusing journey." As Cheryl spoke these words, she could no longer hold back the tears welling up in her eyes. They flowed freely, reflecting the emotions she was experiencing in that moment.
"The best outcome"
The profound emotions associated with it were evident. Despite her tears, Cheryl could proudly say who she is today. With a radiant smile, she said, "I am Linda's sister.
That's the best outcome." Doesn't this story also bring tears to your eyes?
Making headlines
After TODAY shared this amazing story online, other major media outlets picked it up as well. For example, in December 2021, the websites of British newspapers The Sun and Daily Mail reported on it.
Yes, Cheryl and Linda made international headlines! The user reactions were abundant as well, especially the Daily Mail article generated many comments.
"A wonderful outcome"
One commenter agreed with Cheryl's assessment and wrote, "What a beautiful outcome." Another added, "I'm glad they finally found each other."
But among all these comments, one stood out in which a user shared their own experiences with DNA tests.
Highs and Lows
This user wrote, "Wonderful story. In my own family, DNA has brought together members who didn't know the other existed.
On the other hand, a relative discovered that the son he had raised for 19 years was not his biological son. Everything changed, and in this case, not for the better."
"Happening all over the world"
All these stories show that Cheryl is by no means the only person who has experienced the tremendous highs and lows of such tests. Another online commenter raised another interesting point, "I'm sure stories like these are happening all over the world these days." It really makes you think!
Future plans?
But what does the future hold for Linda and Cheryl now, after this amazing discovery? What plans might they have for the coming years, especially now that they know for certain that they are half-sisters? It's certainly a lot to think about and discuss.
One sunny day, as they sat together at a kitchen table flooded with sunlight, Cheryl opened up and spoke about her hopes and desires. She made it clear that despite the lost years, the years to come should be filled with shared memories and moments that they would cherish as sisters.
"Creating memories"
In front of the cameras of TODAY, Cheryl said to Linda, "Well, we've lost the past 30 years. But we have the next 30 ahead of us, and you better promise me [that you'll still be there]!
We need to create memories like sisters do." Something tells us they will savor every moment they have together.
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