In a heartwarming story of familial reunion, an adopted daughter in the Netherlands, her sister in Montreal, and their mother in Colombia were brought together through the power of modern DNA testing and video conferencing technology. Despite living on different continents and speaking various languages, the three women overcame these barriers to reunite.
Diana Angarita, residing in Montreal, always knew she had a sister named Xiomara. Her mother, Carmen Angarita, frequently spoke about Xiomara, though neither had met her. Diana’s longing to know her sister grew over the years, fueled by her mother’s stories. Diana shared:
She was always talking about Xiomara, and I felt jealous because I couldn’t meet her. I always knew she existed, but she didn’t know about me.
Carmen Angarita, who grew up an orphan in Bogotá, Colombia, faced significant hardships. At 34, she found herself in a dire financial situation when she gave birth to Xiomara in 1981. With her daughter facing health issues and Carmen lacking the means to care for her, she made the heart-wrenching decision to give Xiomara up for adoption.
Comforted by the knowledge that Xiomara was adopted by a loving family in the Netherlands, Carmen nevertheless missed her daughter deeply. Two years later, Carmen gave birth to Diana, whom she raised as a single mother. Diana moved to Montreal three years ago, where a MyHeritage DNA kit, gifted by her husband for her birthday, altered the course of their family’s history.
The couple’s initial intent was to explore Diana’s ethnicity, but the DNA kit revealed potential family connections. Among these was a match with her long-lost sister, Xiomara, living in the Netherlands. Diana said:
I had in my mind that it was so hard to find her. It was like a fairy tale, a dream come true. Something you don’t expect because you think it’s so hard to achieve. It felt magical.
Upon discovering Xiomara’s name, Diana wasted no time in reaching out. The sisters soon connected and arranged a Zoom call with their mother. Xiomara introduced herself in a heartfelt video message: “I’m your daughter, and I hope to see you very soon. I’m very, very glad to know that you are alive and you always thought about me.” She also introduced her 17-year-old son, Joaquin, to Carmen.
Despite the language barriers—Carmen speaks only Spanish, Xiomara speaks Dutch and English, and Diana speaks English, Spanish, and French—the family is determined to bridge the gap. Xiomara is learning Spanish in anticipation of their reunion.
For Diana, the challenges in communication are minor compared to the joy of finding her sister explaining that it was the best day of her life.
The sisters plan to visit their mother in Bogotá in December to celebrate Christmas together, marking the first time they will all meet in person. This reunion showcases the profound impact of DNA testing, particularly for adoptees seeking to trace their heritage and reconnect with lost family members. DNA tests analyze an individual’s genetic makeup to identify biological relatives, making them an invaluable tool for those separated by adoption or other circumstances.
In this digital age, the combination of DNA technology and online communication platforms has made what once seemed impossible, a beautiful reality for many families.
Image Source:
- Xiomara Schuuring: MyHeritage
