A Tense Moment
They looked at each other from across the table before their eyes slowly drifted to the DNA results. They struggled to see past the tears in their eyes, their hearts beating in their throats. Both girls were trying their best to keep their composure.
Everything they had been struggling with led to this very moment. They were about to open the envelope when one of them spoke, "If the results are positive, would it be wrong to stay together?"
Kristy And Aisling
New Yorkers Kristy and Aisling had been dating for two years before everything they knew came crashing down on them. Everything in their life had been perfect, from their professional and academic lives to their day-to-day activities.
It all began as a joke from a random comment on one of their joint social media accounts. But what that comment would bring would leave them in tears.
College
Kristy and Aisling met in their final year of college. Their meeting had been a chance one, given that they came from entirely different academic and social backgrounds.
For one, Kristy was an art history major, while Aisling had her academic path cut through engineering. Still, the two would run into each other, resulting in the happiest twenty-four months of their lives.
A Chance Meeting
Kristy and Aisling's meeting happened at a local orphanage near their college. Their respective schools, among other faculties, had joined hands to run a charity for the orphanage.
Among the students chosen to attend the event were the two girls, each oblivious of what fate had in store. What would start with a harmless compliment from Kristy would evolve into a beautiful relationship. But unknown to them, a storm would be steady brewing on their paradise's horizon.
Two Years Down The Line
Two years passed with Kristy and Aisling still together. Their love for each other was stronger than ever, and their relationship was still fresh.
But the two would make a decision that, although harmless and considerably cute at the time, would change their lives forever. It would leave them distraught and questioning the validity of the feelings they had for each other.
A Normal Day
The day everything changed for Kristy and Aisling was as typical as any other. They'd decided to make a joint Instagram account for their family, seeing that they'd adopted the cutest German Shepherd together.
They began posting photos of the pup alongside their own, hoping to immortalize those memories forever. But one comment would change everything.
You Look Alike
The comment in question was simple: "You two look identical." Kristy smiled at it, thinking she'd never considered that she and her partner looked alike.
But then more comments, no doubt inspired by this single one, started streaming in. "You do look exactly the same," one read. "Take a DNA test. We are scared for you two," another read. That's when the dread set in.
Sharing The Comments
Kristy shared the comments with Aisling, who also laughed at first, but then quieted down when she started noticing how similar her physical appearance was to Kristy.
But then they started talking about everything, digging into the darkest reaches of their family histories that they'd always avoided. What they'd discover would leave them running to get a DNA test.
Their Backgrounds
"Both of us were raised by single moms," a teary Kristy shared in a video. "We didn't know that our moms had a relationship with the same guy around the time each of us was born."
The two called their mothers immediately to confirm the stories they'd grown up with. They ascertained that their moms did indeed have serious relationships with the same guy a year apart. Their stomachs knotted as they realized they could be half-sisters.
Taking The Test
Kristy and Aisling took a DNA test at their earliest convenience. Meanwhile, the post that started everything had gone viral, bringing in even more views concerning their predicament.
"Being related could explain why you two look like sisters," one user wrote. "Everything is identical, from the shape of your eyes, lips, and even chins," another stated. "I just saw some of your photos and videos, and I think you should get those tests done immediately," another user said. But what would the two girls do if the tests came out positive?
The Waiting Game
The next few days became a blur for Kristy and Aisling as they awaited their results via physical mail. "We could've done it through email," said Aisling. "But we feared what those tests would tell us. We didn't want this to end."
Regardless of how long they tried to stall, the results still reached their front door. Before the two knew it, they were sitting on opposite ends of their dining table, ready to face this nightmare.
At The Table
Kristy reached over and pecked Aisling's forehead. But before they unwrapped the envelope, Aisling asked, "If the results are positive, would it be wrong to stay together?"
Kristy smiled, squeezing her partner's hands before they both ripped the envelope's seal. They pulled out the results, and Kristy cried as every muscle in her body spasmed.
The Answer
"We're not related," Aisling stammered in disbelief. She reread the paper, pulling it closer to her eyes to ensure she didn't miss anything.
But the answer was clear before her eyes. She and the love of her life were not related in any way despite their moms having a relationship with the same man some decades back. Kristy and Aisling couldn't believe it.
Sharing The News
"We opened a bottle to celebrate that evening!" Aisling shared. They also posted selected parts of the DNA results on Instagram, finally updating their growing fanbase on the gutwrenching situation.
But although they'd cleared the air over the matter, the great question still loomed over their heads. This time, they would ask their fans the same: "If we're related, is it wrong to stay together?"
Yeses And Nos
The answers ranged from simple yeses and nos to more complex responses that brought morality and genetics into the picture. One user wrote, "I wouldn't but if the love is real and this is something you can look past, then work for it." Another said, "You can't procreate, so where's the harm?" while another wrote, "It would be very wrong."
One would think that something like this doesn’t happen very often. However, another couple faced a similar situation, with an entirely different outcome.
Tough Times
29-year-old Brittany Henly had undergone one of the most painful periods of her life. She had just finalized her divorce with the man she thought she would spend the rest of her life with. To make matters worse, Brittany believed that she would never have the chance to be a mother, something she had wanted for a very long time.
She knew she needed to make a change in her life and start over somewhere new. She had no idea that her problems were just getting started.
Tough Times
After taking a long hard look at her life, Brittany decided it was time to make some significant changes.
Brittany spent many nights trying to figure out what was next for her in the place that was meant for her future family. Eventually, she made a decision. But it wouldn't be easy to begin a new life...
Starting Fresh
Brittany packed her bags and moved to Fort Payne, Alabama. After sending out numerous job applications, she finally got a job offer to work at a retail store. A sense of excitement washed over her as she embarked on this new adventure.
She bought herself a 3-bedroom home that needed to have some work done on it. She purchased this home because she desperately wanted something to keep her mind preoccupied. Having a family was still her top priority, but it needed to wait.
Getting Back On Track
Renovating a house was not cheap, and Brittany did not have the funds available either. However, she was determined and did most of the work herself.
Fixing her home helped keep her busy while she sorted her life out. Things rarely go to plan, as Brittany soon learned when she met Mark.
Taking Things Slow
Brittany first met Mark at her place of work, and he did not waste any time in asking her out. She said no, unfortunately, as she had just gotten out of a failed marriage.
Even though she was not ready to commit to another, there was no denying it. She was attracted to Mark. A few months later, she told Mark she was ready to give things a go. If only they knew what trouble lay ahead.
Newly Weds
After dating for a year, Mark and Brittany got married. Things were finally going according to plan for Brittany.
Despite her previous marriage ending so terribly, Brittany learned to love and trust again. Mark was also extremely helpful and even helped her complete most of the renovations. Everything was going perfectly for the couple, but it was all about to change.
The Next Step
Brittany still wanted to have children more than anything, but she wasn’t getting any younger. Her family adopted her when she was a baby, and she grew up as an only child. Her childhood was very lonely, so she wanted to have a big family.
She and Mark were living in a large home, so it was only logical for them to take the next step. They both agreed that it was time to start trying for a baby.
No Luck
Brittany’s life felt like a dream come true. Things were swimmingly for the couple, but reality soon came knocking on their door. Something happened that made Brittany question everything.
Both Mark and Brittany were ready to be parents; however, after a year of trying with no success, they were on the verge of giving up. It was as if mother nature was not on their side, and there was an awful reason for that.
Seeking Professional Help
The couple was not ready to throw in the towel just yet and decided to approach a fertility specialist.
They were open to IVF, and the specialist explained the process. The couple agreed and started taking the following steps. However, after the doctor conducted some routine tests, he stumbled across something that changed everything.
A Strange Finding
As part of the IVF process, the doctor needs to retrieve DNA samples from both parents to evaluate their genetic background. This is intended to inform the doctor of any hereditary diseases that might be passed on.
These samples are generally not tested for the relation between the parents, the lab assistant stumbled upon something that made his brows furrow in confusion.
Similar Samples
The lab assistant immediately noticed how similar the samples of Brittany and Mark were. He had never seen anything like that.
He initially assumed that they were closely related, as in cousins. It’s not common, but it occasionally happens. However, his findings were much worse once he looked closer at the results. He immediately contacted the doctor, who had to break the heartbreaking news to the couple.
The Results
Brittany could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she and Mark anxiously awaited to hear the news from the doctor. They didn’t know what to expect.
The doctor sighed deeply before informing Brittany and Mark that the results indicated that they were fraternal twins. Brittany burst out laughing, thinking it was some sort of joke.
Not A Joke
The couple didn’t want to believe that it was true. Yes, they shared a birthday, and they were both adopted. But surely it had to be one big coincidence? But sadly, it was not some mistake.
The doctor had a serious expression on his face, and they realized it was true. How could something like this happen?
What Happened?
“The biological parents of the couple had died in a car crash when the couple was infants, and they had no close family willing to adopt them. They'd been taken into state care and were adopted out to separate families.” The doctor said. “Due to a filing error, neither foster family had ever been told that their adopted child had a twin.”
After learning the truth, Brittany and Mark had no choice but to approach the court.
Saying Goodbye
The heartbroken couple approached the court and shared their story. Brittany and Mak's marriage was instantly declared null and void by the court.
Their situation inspired advocates to fight for adopted children's expanded access to information about their birth parents. Disclaimer: To protect the privacy of those depicted, some names, locations, and identifying characteristics have been changed and are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblances to actual events, places, or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.