In the heart of 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 in 1996 at an adoptees event. Their friends noticed a striking resemblance between them, leading to an immediate connection.
Despite living hours apart, Geltink and Tijssen bonded over shared features when they first met. They exchanged contact details that day and stayed in touch through letters and emails. However, life took its course, and they lost contact for nearly three decades as they started their own families and pursued different paths.
In 2017, Geltink, curious about her roots, decided to take a DNA test through MyHeritage, a platform popular among Indian adoptees in the Netherlands. The test results, received in April, revealed a surprising truth – Geltink and Tijssen were a 100% DNA match, indicating they were full siblings sharing 36.5% of their DNA.
This rare discovery, confirmed by MyHeritage spokesperson Margaux Stelman, highlighted the extraordinary coincidence that led the sisters to each other. The emotional reunion took place in Den Bosch, Netherlands, this month, where they met face to face for the first time since learning of their relationship. Overwhelmed with joy and relief, the sisters realized they had unknowingly been seeking each other all their lives.
For Geltink, the reunion signified finding her missing puzzle piece, bringing a sense of completeness and belonging. Both sisters, supported by their partners, embraced the moment, knowing they now have each other to rely on through life’s ups and downs.
