Reddit Stories - Got an ANCESTRY DNA test as a CHRISTMAS present and DISCOVERED my half-bro

Episode Date: January 13, 2026

#redditstories #askreddit #aita #ancestrydna #familyreunion #unexpectednews #christmasgift #halfbrother  Summary: Receiving an Ancestry DNA test as a Christmas gift led to an unexpected revelation of a half-brother. This surprising discovery prompted a mix of emotions, curiosity, and the desire to connect with newfound family. The journey of exploring this relationship unfolded, highlighting the complexities of family dynamics.  Tags: redditstories, askreddit, reddit, aita, tifu, ancestry, family, dna, discovery, relationships, christmas, halfbrother, reunion, emotions, surprise, connection, genealogy, unexpected, personalstory, lifechangingBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/reddit-stories--6816713/support.This episode includes AI-generated content.

I hope you enjoy this story. Got an ancestry DNA test as a Christmas present and discovered my half-brough who had 25% DNA match with me. Then, I hunted down my bio dad who was clueless. I existed. Then months later the test confirmed and he was my dad. I, 23F, had grown up without a father. A little bit of background. My mom was addicted to Dr. G. so home wasn't an option for her to stay at an end.

anymore. She would hop from place to place living where she could whether it be with friends, boyfriends, Dr. G. Dealers, etc. She later found out at the age of 19 she was pregnant after getting into a car accident. That was enough to scare her into the reality that she needed to grow up. She got her act together, went to college, and is now almost 10 years sober living her best life. With that past in mind, though, you can kind of understand why it wasn't anyone's fault not knowing. She had a lot of friends who were men, no shade mom got to do what you got to do, my mother was young, dumb, and made decisions she regrets. But I never held that against her. Growing up I didn't have any trust with men. I resented almost all the guys she would date or have

over. I was never abused slash molested, but I never let myself get close to or be alone with them at any moment. I would watch true crime with my grandma so I knew what men did to little girls. I never had a father figure to go against that so I never trusted them. They were all shitty anyways and she deserves so much better. That also made me have the stigma that all men especially black, men my mom would date, weren't the ones to mess with. And for the record my mom is white and I am mixed. After experiencing this I had no intentions on meeting or knowing who my father was

because if he was anything like the men I saw I didn't want anything to do with him. I would wonder though who he was what he looked like and if he was even, even alive or not. Fast forward to now I'm engaged to my fiancé, 23M, going on eight years. I have learned to trust through them and even have a better view on men while not completely hating LOL. I also got to know his father who isn't perfect but loves me like his own. As well as having my mother's father who was always there if I was in trouble and would educate me on stereotypical men things like cars, fishing, and fixing things. I am extremely grateful for them both to be in my life. Me and Mom are on really good terms now and we would have frequent talks about who my father

could be. All she remembers is before she was in the car accident she had eyes for a guy who worked at a liquor store and that would let her crash at his place before he left to a different state. She never remembered his name though. Last Christmas my soon-to-be Mill gifted us both ancestry DNA tests. My fiancé would always say things like maybe this will help you find your dad I would shrug it off or seem uninterested because I was more curious to see what ethnical background I had.

Eight weeks after I sent off the test we finally got results, I was shocked. Not only did I find out that I have multiple African countries in my percentile I found my half-brother on my father's side. Who would have known this would change everything? I saw that we shared a whopping 25 percent of DNA, I got curious. My interest in finding who my dad was immediately sparked into existence. It was like I actually had a chance. My first thought was Facebook. And wouldn't you know he had one? I messaged him explaining the situation.

Before sending it I had so many thoughts like, What if he thought I was lying so I made sure to send a screenshot of the results? What if he doesn't care or not want anything to do with me? I hesitated a lot, but after staring at the send button. Something inside me said push it and it happened. Days go by and nothing. until there was something. He was so happy to hear there was another person in his tribe. He's very down to earth. I was so relieved I started bombarding him with questions but also apologizing

if I was bothering him. He was always late to reply, but I was patient. I expected the worst and was ready if he decided one day to just stop replying altogether. He finally told me his father's name and I decided to search for him as well but found nothing. It wasn't until he posted a picture with him and tagged his Instagram that I would find him. I met him on Instagram and was so amazed from the response. Turns out even though he doesn't remember my mother he lived in the same area as her before moving out of state and worked at a liquor store. Things started to add up. He gave me his number so that we could keep in touch and talk about other little details that might spark his memory. He would constantly tell me you look like US. That's why I'm still

actively invested. He said he would take a DNA test as well from the same website so we both would know. He has five other children and is a big family man. He loves his kids and would talk to me about them. Since we both had our hopes up he would shoot notes like your brother, your sister, your aunt like he was accepting me even though he didn't know 100% for sure yet. All we knew was that his son was my brother. But I had little doubts like what if it's off by a bit maybe he's my cousin and not my brother? Regardless we are family right? I had to prepare myself for the worse just in case. After talking for four months we finally got the results back. It was a normal day, I was on my phone when he sent me a screenshot of the results that read you and me are a match of

50% daughter and father my fiancé was cooking dinner when I showed him. I broke down in his arms. It was like a huge weight had lifted off my shoulders. My heart was racing it felt like I was having a panic attack that was filled with joy. I finally got answers that I wasn't even searching for until now. We talked on FaceTime for the first time and both cried. He apologized for not being there for any of my firsts. First walk, talk, love, heartbreak, everything a father should be there for his daughter. I told him he had nothing to be sorry for. He had no idea and wouldn't have known. He's been so nice and everything I could ask for and a father. I can't lie it's a bit weird for me and will need some getting used to. I mean I don't even call my father. I mean I don't even call my

fiance's dad, dad. I never had someone to call that until now. He has messaged me every day since then telling me good morning and to have a great day. And that we will talk more in depth and make plans to meet up to see my other side of the family. I'm excited as well as nervous. This is a whole other chapter in my life that's about to unlock. I always felt that things happen for a reason and that since it's happening right now it's the best time. I truly can't wait for this adventure. I can't thank my Mill enough for this. I mean I always wanted to do a DNA test, but it was always too expensive or I'll get around to it. I'm forever grateful. Update, it's been a while since I posted this. Right after I posted this I met my dad a couple months later.

My now husband and I flew to Arizona and he greeted me with one of my younger brothers, 21 at the time. I gave him the biggest hug and we both cried. The rest of the truth, was hours of catching up. I brought baby pictures to the show, told stories of my childhood. And it was sudden but we even went on a little road trip together to Sedona with his wife and my three younger siblings it was definitely fast-paced for my brain to even react. However, all of this couldn't have worked out better. Him, my siblings, and his wife all accepted me with open arms. It was the trip of a lifetime. We had our moments when there were no words just realization. I had a father who happens to be a great guy and he had a daughter that

he missed out on so much with. To this day he apologizes for not being there. That if he knew, my life wouldn't have had to be missing that other piece that created me. Because he is everything I am that's different from my family. We are both patient and good listeners. We are both fire signs so we immediately bonded L.O.L. We are both introverted extroverts and wear our hearts on our sleeves. He is spiritually inclined and we can talk freely about our beliefs and discuss similarities. He's Christian and I'm a scientific believer slash semi-Christian. We are empathetic and when we talk it's so natural like I have always known him and that he was just waiting for me. Later that year I got married. And of course him and my siblings were invited and they came.

His wife is shy and decided to stay behind with my sister who is autistic and doesn't travel well. which she is my only sister by the way and I always wanted one. My other side of the family was so excited to meet them and questioned if he would be walking me down the aisle. In which I responded with no and he's okay with that because I don't know if it's just me but we just met and we're still not that close so I felt like that job was made for someone who would literally be giving me away. So my grandpa did and everything was beautiful. We did have a father-daughter dance though. Literally a thing I never thought would happen. He even made a speech that wasn't expected but man did he deliver.

Tears were flowing from everyone. I still danced with my mom but also encouraged all mothers and daughters to come up and dance as well. It was to slipping through my fingers from Mamma Mia, both moments were so special and made that the best night of my life. Now I've gotten even closer with him and his side of the family. People have reached out and added me on Facebook and even texted me out of the blue informing me they were from his side. I've never felt so loved by strangers in my life. It made me think of myself and how I was content with never finding this out. Being okay if I had never gotten a DNA test.

Where would my life be right now? This was life-changing and I thank a higher power for sending me such amazing people that happened to be of my own flesh and blood. I hope y'all like this update. It will probably be the last. Happy endings are always my favorite and hopefully I can inspire others. that are in my situation. Even if it is a dead end, I still recommend finding out where you came from and what your history is.

It was fascinating finding out the little traits I had that were pasted down to me. Comments where Op has replied, Oop responds to a question if she knows how her parents met? Oop, so it was complicated I'd Jiff you can see my other post. It won't let me link it, but she was in and out of homes and he let her crash a while but they both were young and supposedly only had a couple nights together. My mom said he had to leave town because he had a four-year-old, my older brother I found on ancestry, and left way before she knew she was pregnant and she had other partners between then. I've shown pictures to both of them of each other and they don't remember each other at all.

Granted this was 25 years ago, ha-ha-up on her mother's reaction when learning about up finding and reunited with the biological father. Oop, she was just as shocked as I was and she was all for me finding out. If she was worried she didn't show it. I think she trusted that he was a good man from the screenshots I sent her of messages between him and I. If anything, she was excited to meet slash reunite with him as much as I was ha-ha. Since she was just as curious. Next story, husband got drunk at my Sill's birthday party and confessed he's always been in love with her,

then he tried to kiss her and touch her without consent. So my brother kicked us out and my husband admitted he only married me to stay close to her. Hi, Reddit. Sorry if this ends up being a cluster of CK. I really need some advice. Throwaway account and names change just in case. My Sill, Kate my brother slash Kate's husband. Charlie my husband. Jack I've been married to Jack for four years and we've been together since HS. Our marriage is pretty great. We have our ups and downs, but we're usually able to work through it and talk about our feelings like adults. We were just starting to discuss having children before this came up. Now things are a mess and I don't know what to do.

Charlie and Kate have been married for five years and have also been together since HS. My brother and I have been extremely close since we were kids. He's always there for me and I love him with all my heart. Kate is a wonderful person and is one of my best friends. She's my family now, too, and I love her to death. She's sweet, funny, and a great friend. Charlie and Kate have a great marriage. Honestly, even better than my own.

They're a real team, they're always there for each other, and you can tell that they really love each other. From what I know, they're currently trying to conceive. I'm so excited to be an aunt. We've all gotten along until now. This is the first time anything like this has happened. About two weeks ago, Charlie invited me. us over to have a few drinks and hang out at their place to celebrate Kate's birthday.

It was going okay at first, we talked about having kids and our jobs and generally caught up. Jack ended up drinking way too much. He started flirting with Kate and she was obviously uncomfortable. Told Jack to stop it multiple times and tried to stay away from him. Charlie started getting irritated, rightly so, Jack was flirting with his wife and being a drunken idiot, and told Jack to stop, again, multiple times. I also tried to get Jack to knock it off and shut up, but he wouldn't, and I was honestly pissed off too. Jack got pissed when Charlie tried to intervene. He told Charlie how much he hated him and wished he was dead, then went on to confess how much he loves Kate and wishes he would have ended up with her. Jack decided to try to kiss slash touch Kate,

she freaked out, and Charlie was done. He told us both to get the FCK out. I dragged Jack out of there and I was just shocked and disgusted at his behavior. The next day, Jack told me that he did have feelings for Kate and was resentful of Charlie because of it. He told me that he loved me and would never cheat on me, he was drunk and what he did was a mistake. He apologized over and over again for his behavior, promised me he loved me and wanted to be with me, etc. He apologized to Charlie and Kate for what happened, but they aren't happy. I'm still not sure how to feel. His behavior was awful, inappropriate, and borderline assault. It also makes me feel shitty that he hates my brother. I talked to Charlie the other day. He told me that he isn't

comfortable having Jack around anymore, especially around Kate. Apparently, she's pretty shaken up by what happened, the unwanted touching slash attempted kiss slash love confession, and incredibly uncomfortable around Jack. I understand completely, but now I'm stuck. I'm just angry, upset, and unsure of what to do now. I don't want my relationship with my brother and Sill to be ruined because Jack was an asshole. I don't know what to do about Jack's confession. It honestly makes me feel sick to my stomach. It all came out of nowhere.

Everything was great before this. We were all friends. Now my husband apparently loves another woman and wishes my brother was dead. I want to salvage this because I do love. I really do, but I have no idea where to start. I want to be a part of my future nieces slash nephew's life. I want to be able to be around my brother and Sill because they're wonderful people and I love them so much. It's all crashing down and I don't know how to handle it. Is there a way to work through this? What should I do? Can I salvage this? Perspective

slash advice slash opinions? Update. Hi. I know this update is coming fast, but I've made my decision and I thought you'd all like to know. A lot has happened in the past day, but in the end, I think I'm making the right choice. T-B-H I think I knew this is what I had to do all along, but I was in denial. I want to start off by thanking everyone for their advice, kind words, and even tough love. I have decided to end our marriage and get a divorce ASAP. It's heartbreaking and painful for me to do this, but honestly, I don't think I could live with knowing my husband loves another woman and assaulted her in front of me. The fact that this is my sill makes it even worse. I don't think we can come back from this and I would always feel

like I wasn't his first choice. Plus, he touched and kissed Kate without her consent, which is an awful thing to do by itself. I sat down and really, really thought about what happened and how it made me feel. It made me feel disgusted, hurt, and angry. It made me feel like an idiot. It broke my heart. I couldn't believe the man I loved, the man I have been with for almost a decade of my life, would betray me and hurt me like this. It almost doesn't feel real. To think we were going to have kids, to think I trusted him and gave him all the love I could. It F. King hurts. A lot of you suggested that maybe he married me so he could be close to Kate. We sat down last night, I showed him your comments, and he broke he admitted to me that yes, he did marry me

to be closer to her. It's always been her. From day one of our relationship, it's been a ploy to stay close to Kate. Not only is this devastating to me, but it's extremely creepy and I feel bad that Kate ever had to be around Jack. His intentions were almost predatory. Who knows what he would have done to Kate if her husband and I hadn't been there to intervene. I honestly think he would have done some truly horrible things to her, given the chance. He begged me to stay. He promised he loved me. He could get over Kate. He wanted me. I was his soulmate. We were meant to be together. He would go to therapy to work on his issues and we would be okay. He was sobbing and begging and trying to convince me to stay. I wasn't hearing it. I'm done. He's a liar. He's been lying to me for

years. He's creepy, horrible, and I can't live with him knowing what he did and how he truly feels. I called Charlie to talk to him about everything. Like always, he's here for me. He's incredibly pissed at Jack because of what Jack did to Kate. Kate is still shaken up and upset. She feels violated and her trust in Jack, someone she considered her friend for years, has been destroyed. Charlie told me that if I had chosen to stay with Jack, It was very likely our relationship would have died right then and there. Charlie told me he refused to talk to anybody who believed what Jack did to Kate, assaulted her, was okay or forgivable.

Even if that somebody was me. He also thinks what Jack did to me for all these years is beyond cruel and he's angry about that, too. I still have to contact a lawyer and get things in order. It's only been a day since I've made my decision. But you are also, so helpful to me. I can't begin to express how thankful I am for your comments. In the end, my brother and Sill are the people that matter most to me. They're my real family, the people who love me, and they're here to support me through this decision.

I'm young, there's still hope for me to find someone who sincerely loves me, there's still hope of starting a family, there's still time left for all of that. I'd rather take my chances of finding someone new than staying with Jack. Thank you, again, for everything. Edit slash update 2. Thanks for the condolences and kind words. It really means a lot to me. To address some concerns, I will be extra careful and keep an eye out for anything Jack tries to do.

Like many of you said, his obsession is unraveling, so he might do something drastic. I'm going to contact my lawyer ASAP to start seeing what I can do, change all of my passwords, get my bank accounts in order, etc. I have also removed any information of my future whereabouts and plans as some of you suggested. I'm going to book an appointment with a therapist. I feel like it would benefit me and help me work through this whole thing. Kate doesn't want to talk to slash interact with Jack, but she is thinking about getting a restraining order. Understandably, she doesn't feel safe around Jack at all and would rather have nothing to do with him. She's also going to be extra careful, since she's the person of Jack's obsession and he'll probably

try contacting her slash doing something crazy. Charlie is there to protect her. He's a former Marine, six feet three inches, and pretty dang intimidating, so I'm sure they'll both be okay. We're all here for each other. Some people don't believe this is real because of my timeline. I said we've been together since HS in the last post, but then said almost a decade in this post. This was a mistake, I meant to type over a decade. I can't prove the validity of my story, so you'll just have to take my word for it. I don't really feel the need to explain myself here. You either believe me or you don't.

It's a bizarre situation. I can't explain Jack's behavior any better than you can. On the bright side, Charlie and Kate are still trying for a baby, so there's a pretty good chance I'll be an aunt in the near future. There's still hope for me to find the one. In the meantime, I'm going to focus on me, and moving on from this whole thing. Thanks for the concern and encouragement.