Welcome to the Season 8 finale of DNA Surprises.

In this episode, I’m joined by Deanna, who shares her NPE story. Deanna has experienced unspeakable amounts of hardship in her life, from abandonment to abuse to her DNA discovery.

Her story is difficult - and powerful. You’ll hear how she’s still reckoning with the what-might-have-beens and the whys. You’ll also learn how she’s moving forward, including being the person she needed when she was younger.

Thank you for sharing your story, Deanna.

Register for the DNA Surprise Retreat by August 15 to guarantee your space!

September 19-22, 2024 | Phoenix, AZ

Support the Show.

Reserve your space at the 2nd Annual DNA Surprise Retreat by August 15!
September 19-22
Phoenix, AZ

Learn more at www.dnasurpriseretreat.com!

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IG: @dnasurprises
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Website: dnasurprises.com
DNA Surprise Retreat | A bridge to healing for NPEs, adoptees, and DCPs after a DNA discovery.

Every DNA Surprise is unique—the who, what, when, and why surrounding an NPE vary from person to person. Still, after nearly 100 interviews, I’ve noticed consistent themes in these stories. One of those themes is a complicated mother-child relationship.

When Jennifer took her DNA test, she had no idea that her family tree would change forever. As it turns out, both her mother and grandmother had relationships with the same man, making Jennifer’s aunts also her sisters, and her cousins also her nieces and nephews. To add some clarity here, this man is not Jennifer’s grandfather - he is a man that her grandmother had an affair with, resulting in two of her aunts. She discusses how she’s faced the shame and stigma of this complicated story, and how she’s navigated her relationship with her mother.

Jennifer and I spend quite a bit of time talking about the mother-daughter dynamic, and how she was able to radically accept their relationship for what it is - not what she wants it to be. If you’re currently struggling with this part of your story, I hope this conversation helps you.

Thank you to Jennifer for so openly sharing her feelings on this, as well as her story.

Resources:

• Contact: 00jharris@gmail.com

Register for the DNA Surprise Retreat by August 15 to guarantee your space!

September 19-22, 2024 | Phoenix, AZ

Support the Show.

Reserve your space at the 2nd Annual DNA Surprise Retreat by August 15!
September 19-22
Phoenix, AZ

Learn more at www.dnasurpriseretreat.com!

Join the DNA Surprises Patreon community!
IG: @dnasurprises
Twitter: @dnasurprises
TikTok: @dnasurprises
Website: dnasurprises.com
DNA Surprise Retreat | A bridge to healing for NPEs, adoptees, and DCPs after a DNA discovery.

DNA Surprises are confusing. They’re confusing for the people they happen to as they try to make sense of newfound information. With so many characters, twists, and turns in each story, they’re also confusing for people listening to DNA Surprises stories.

This week’s DNA surprise story is no exception. In fact, it features a triple-NPE. So before we begin, I’m going to break down who’s who.

Jessica grew up with a birth certificate dad, who she believed was her biological father. We’ll refer to him as Dad 1. She will go on to tell us about her stepfather, who, after a series of events, becomes Bio Dad 2. Her mother then reveals the truth, or so Jessica thinks - and she identifies Bio Dad 3. To be clear, none of these men are her biological father.

Jessica shares the long and winding road she took to finally identifying her true biological father, with the help of an Ancestry DNA test and her detective skills. She also reveals how she’s navigating a new relationship with her bio dad and an ethnicity shift that uprooted her from a strong Italian heritage.

Thank you for sharing your story, Jessica.

Register for the DNA Surprise Retreat by August 15 to guarantee your space!

September 19-22, 2024 | Phoenix, AZ

Support the Show.

Reserve your space at the 2nd Annual DNA Surprise Retreat by August 15!
September 19-22
Phoenix, AZ

Learn more at www.dnasurpriseretreat.com!

Join the DNA Surprises Patreon community!
IG: @dnasurprises
Twitter: @dnasurprises
TikTok: @dnasurprises
Website: dnasurprises.com
DNA Surprise Retreat | A bridge to healing for NPEs, adoptees, and DCPs after a DNA discovery.