In July 2019, I received a message that would lead to an incredible journey of discovery. A genetic genealogist reached out on behalf of a client who had appeared as a DNA match on my Ancestry.com profile. At the time, I was using DNA testing to further my own family research and had a general idea of which branch of my family tree this person might be connected to. After exchanging a few messages, the genealogist introduced me to her client, Joan. She was searching for her biological father, and with my knowledge of our shared ancestry, I offered to help. Over the next couple of years, we meticulously mapped out our family connections and eventually narrowed the possibilities down to two brothers. The breakthrough came when Joan contacted the daughter of one of these brothers and persuaded her to take a DNA test. The results confirmed that they were a match at the first cousin level, proving that the other brother was her true father. To solidify the discovery, Joan’s newly found nephew also took a DNA test, and his results aligned perfectly. Joan and I have remained friends ever since, and she recently sent me a note reflecting on her experience. Her words speak volumes about the emotional journey she undertook: