Finally, my client’s DNA was ready, and we were both excited! She was adopted at birth and was interested in learning about her biological family. I began looking at her DNA matches and immediately discovered her closest matches were to two individuals listed by Ancestry as “Close Match or First Cousin.” I was able to ascertain that the two individuals were not related to one another, so I knew she had close matches on both her maternal and paternal lines. I spent a few minutes and figured out that she was somehow related to a woman with the last name of Greene. I took a break and returned several hours later. After looking closer, I realized the match I thought was a first cousin, was closer. I checked the centimorgans and compared it to the chart. 
Astoundingly, she was quite possibly, a half-sister because they shared 1600 centimorgans. I never dreamed I would find her half-sister so quickly. We knew her mother had later married and had four children. The match was one child of six, although four were relatively close in age, and then two additional children came later. I began researching the family and found a photograph of the woman from her High School Yearbook. I snapped a copy of the photo and sent it to my client. Her response, “OMG, she looks just like I did when I was younger!”
Fast forward to the next day. I sent an email to this match. I received an immediate response. She was interested in talking to me about her half-sister. She replied, ” I have known about a half-sister all of my life and is why I have taken a DNA test, in hopes of finding her.” This email spurred a rush of emotion. I was holding back tears of joy! My client thought she was never a second thought in her biological family. Not only was she thought about, but her sister was also looking for her. They spoke on the phone for the first time today, apprehension and uncertainty, ended with acceptance, love, and the possibility of a new, extended family.
Every time I take on a new endeavor, I become emotionally attached to the outcome. A purpose in life for me, using technology to help reunite families in a new way. Satisfying. Now, her father’s side. Happy Beginnings Part II