In a bustling city in Mumbai, India, over forty years ago, two baby girls were born and later adopted by separate families in the Netherlands. Meena Geltink, 43, and Minal Tijssen, 44, grew up near each other but never crossed paths until a chance meeting at an adoptees event in 1996. Friends noticed a striking resemblance between the two girls, leading to an instant connection. They exchanged contact information and kept in touch through letters and emails.
Despite their initial bond, life took its course, and the friends lost touch for nearly three decades. Both women started families, with Tijssen eventually moving to France. Geltink, curious about her roots, joined an adoptee group that had taken MyHeritage DNA tests. In 2017, she decided to try the test herself, hoping to find some relatives.
After years of separation, a Facebook message in April changed everything. Tijssen reached out to Geltink after discovering a DNA match on MyHeritage, indicating a 100% probability of them being sisters. The test results showed a 36.5% DNA match, confirming they were full siblings. MyHeritage spokesperson Margaux Stelman noted the rarity of such a discovery, emphasizing the extraordinary chain of events that led to their reunion.
The long-lost sisters finally met in person in Den Bosch, Netherlands, earlier this month. The emotional reunion brought tears of joy, as they realized they had found the missing piece in each other’s lives. Geltink expressed gratitude for finally having her sister by her side, creating a sense of completeness and belonging they had long sought.
The reunion was a poignant moment shared with their partners, marking the beginning of a new chapter where they could lean on each other through life’s challenges and joys. Geltink described the moment as unforgettable, pledging to never let go of her newfound sister.