Neither of us knew that the other existed until 2019 when AncestryDNA tests uncovered not only each other, but so much more we may have never known otherwise.
Wild how spitting into a tube can change the very foundation of a life and open doors to futures previously unimagined.
But it can and it did.
That spit, once in the lab, was translated into centimorgans, which is a way to count ones genetic data.
When compared with others who have tested, the amount of overlap gives you an idea of how closely related you are to someone else who has tested with the same company and whose results are public.
The overlap of our two tests showed us to be half-sisters.
Neither of us tested looking for siblings, and yet there we were.
We both had so much to process that it took a while to even begin to get to know each other and by that time COVID was upon us. So, safely in our cocoons, over a thousand miles away from each other, we slowly began messaging, calling, sending Marco Polos, exchanging photos and information, and following each other on social media.
Then, in 2022, we decided to share family vacations and experience Disneyland as our first meeting. This would allow us to share as much time as possible together while also allowing for the buffer of being busy and of tending to what each of our family needs were.
It was fast and furious and so, so lovely.
Fast forward another two and a half years and not only has our relationship deepened, but my sister has become one of my favorite people on the planet.
And so, when she and her family decided to spend their Spring Break in my home town and out here on the farm, my heart really did grow two sizes.
That’s where I’ve been instead of here in this online space…
Preparing for and then spending time with Camille and her family in real life.
Not as fast and furious as last time, this visit offered some tooling around Santa Fe (my favorite bookstore! my longest restaurant job! the most delicious pupusas at the Farmers’ Market!), a trip to Meow Wolf, lots of home cooked and shared meals and endless cups of tea, all kinds of (largely calm) rural shenanigans, and even some old fashioned board and card games.
I am sure I could go on and on about how grateful I am that we have found each other and that we align in so many ways that communication comes easily and the quiet is comfortable…
But the truth is, I’m still finding the words for what it means to me to have a sister.
I’ve never had a sister before!
I have a sister!
A sister who is whip smart, crazy sweet, and so so creative!
A sister whose values align with my own in ways that are incredibly important to both of us. Whoa!
And while we’ll never share childhood memories, we have lifetimes to catch up on.
And so we are. And so we will 🙂
Onward,
Melissa
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Amazing. I’ve used the idea of an unknown sibling in one of my novels.
Thank you, Susanne. There are so many layers to explore!
Such a lovely, lovely post! Reading this piece was a wonderful way to start the week. So glad you found your sister, and even better that your values align. A gift, that’s for sure.
Thank you so much, Laurie. I’m glad to kick off your week in a positive way <3 Hope you have a great one!
That is so great that you found each other and that you clicked so well! Being siblings does not mean liking each other, so that you have grown so close in so little time is wonderful 🙂 I’m glad it was a good visit. That photo of the two of you is great.
Thanks, Trent! You’re so right that we are so lucky! I don’t take a second of it all for granted.
Melissa, this is amazing. You are so lucky to have found each other. I remembered you mentioned your sister was coming to stay and I hoped you had a good time. I see you did.
I have a sister and we are like chalk and cheese and have absolutely nothing in common. How sad is that?
Thank you so much! We are, indeed, so very lucky!
Chalk and cheese sounds like zero fun! I do hope you get along if not share any common interests…?
okay, my comment disappeared … maybe in spam.
It showed up! WP glitches?
That is so amazing. Amazing that you found each other and chose to be a part of each others lives and actually like each other.. You both are so lucky.
Thank you, Hena! Yes, I think the actually liking each other piece is such a cool thing! <3
The thought that this love waited for you both for all of those years, until you found one another – what a happy thing. I am so glad you had such a wonderful time together!
Thank you so much, Jessica. It’s been a truly wonderful experience <3
That’s amazing that you found each other and have clicked so well. I love feel good stories like these.
I am so so lucky to have such a lovely story to tell <3