Wilmington woman will celebrate National Siblings Day with a new half-brother and half-sister – StarNewsOnline.com

Amanda Garcia was12 years old when she learned her stepfather wasnt her biological dad. Although not knowing has been a source of curiosityand concern over the years, she hasnt decided topursue contact since.

In fact, it wasgeneral healthand ancestryinterests that led the 47-year-old Wilmington woman to take a23andMe DNAtestin October. She was surprised to learn that most of her genetic makeup relates to Europe and the British Isles. And thetest didn't reveal many insights about her health, either.

No, the big shock came with a list of newly discovered family members.

It said I had a cousin, who was actually my half uncle,and he told me I had a half-brother and half-sister,she said.I was stunned, blown away.

More and more people are uncovering such connections through direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies like 23andMe and Ancestry. Test sales started booming around 2017and now millions people have since used such tests.

23andMe said that its tests weren't necessarily designed to confirm parentage and familial relationships, but that an optional DNA Relatives tool is available for test takers. As a result, they are increasingly hearing stories of families discovering and reuniting with newfound relatives.

Garcia had been told some negative things about her father in the past, but she thoughtreaching out throughthese connectionswould be a good way to learn more about a side of her familyshe knew nothing about.

As I was talking to them, all of that fear started to melt away, Garcia said.I learned that I needed to know what happened, and about this whole other side of me.

Soon after, in early January, her half-brother was flying toWilmington fromMinnesota to meet her, and help coordinate a meeting with her father.

The three men were also able to meet Garcias husband, and her four children, aged 3 to 18.Garciaisa homeschoolingmomand admits that shes been a little too busy for the past 18 years to think too much about her past.

As aUNCW alum,she is proud that shewill soon be sending her oldest daughter, a violinist, to the university. Shes also spent a lot of time with her next oldest, a soccer player whoplays travel ball.

Truthfully, I think all of this has happened at the right time, she said. Ive had time to process and am now in a place where I can move forward.

And in recent months, shes been busymaking up for lost time-- bydelivering flowers and Valentines treats to her sister, who lives nearby,andsending herniecea big box of gifts in Minnesota to open via video.

We Facetime, we play games, Garcia said. Its been great.

Garcia is also looking forward to more.

My sister, understandably, has been worried about COVID, Garcia said.I really cant wait to spend more time with her, and for her to meet my family.

The whole process has been such a cathartic experience, that Garcia told23andMe what has happened in her life sinceshe took that test.

I feel like I have closure, she said. I finally can put together those missing pieces.This has given me a lot of peace.

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Wilmington woman will celebrate National Siblings Day with a new half-brother and half-sister - StarNewsOnline.com