Biological Siblings Meet For Very First Time After Pandemic Delay

A pair of adopted biological siblings cried in each other’s arms when they were finally able to meet in person for the very first time – a moment 30 years and one pandemic in the making. In the emotional footage, Ashley Fredette, 30, can be seen heading down an airport escalator and into the waiting arms of her older brother, Reid Gilfillan, 36. The pair live in separate parts of Canada, and having found each other before the pandemic struck, they were then forced to wait six months to finally meet in person. That moment, which took place on July 16, marked the end of a decades-long search for Ashley, who was born into a closed adoption with few details about her birth mother. Reid had previously been given up for adoption, too, only his adoption was open. It wasn't until Ashley was 16 that her identity started to bother her, and so her supportive adoptive parents encouraged her to look into her biological roots. After 10 years of trying Ashley was having little luck – but then, in 2017, the website 23andMe, which Ashley had been a member of for years, threw up a match. From there she was able to connect with her sister, father, mother and eventually via a grandparent her half-brother, who shared the same mom as her. But as they prepared to reunite in person, the pandemic struck meaning they were forced to wait six months to reunite in person in Ottawa.
**ADDITIONAL B-ROLL AVAILABLE ON REQUEST**
Release Status:
TV & Digital
Advertising
Location: Ottawa, Canada
  • Date Acquired09-21-2021
  • Date Filmed08-29-2021
  • OrientationHorizontal
  • Footage TypeCell Phone
  • Rights TV & Digital, Commercial, Publishing

Biological Siblings Meet For Very First Time After Pandemic Delay

Order

Adopted Brothers Reunite With Biological Family After 42 Years

Girl Surprised By Biological Brother She's Never Met For The First Time In Nine And A Half Years

Biological Sisters Meet For First Time After 60 years

Emotional Moment Woman Finally Hugs Biological Brother For First Time

Brother And Sister Cry Tears Of Joy When They Hug Sibling They've Not Seen In Seven Years

Man Surprised By Biological Grandpa He's Never Met On Birthday

Collie Reacts To Reuniting With Owner After Two Years

Mom Records Sons Airport Reunions With Grandma Who Lives Across Country

Sisters Reunited With Sibling And Dad From Mexico Who They've Not Seen In More Than 25 Years

Biological Sisters Who Reunited On Facebook Hug After More Than 50 Years Apart

Four Sisters Reunite For The First Time In 13 Years

Boy Dresses Up As Hero Dad For Tearful Reunion

Son Surprises Dad Who Is Deaf After Eight Years Apart In Different Countries

Grandma Surprised by Sister On Birthday After 15 Years Apart

Toddler Hugs Military Dad For First Time In Eight Months After Deployment

Navy Brother Makes Sister's Jaw Drop When He Returns Home

Kids Run Through Class When Military Dad Returns Home After Months Away

Man Surprised By Sister He Has Not Seen In 16 Years

Woman Tracks Down Biological Sibling On The Other Side Of The World

Sisters Surprise Brother After 30 Years Apart

Grandpa Surprises Sister After Half A Decade Apart

Siblings Reunite At Wedding After More Than 40 Years

Girl Waits To Hug Big Brother Every Day School Bus Arrives

Sister Returns From Navy To Surprise Best Friend Sibling At School

Girl Almost Knocks Solider Sister Over After 10 Month Deployment

Adopted Man Travels 2000 Miles To Meet Birth Mom For First Time

Family Surprise Mom With Son She Put Up For Adoption 40 Years Ago

Couple Kept Apart By Pandemic Touch For First Time In 84 Days On Wedding Day

Vietnam War Veteran Meets Daughter For The First Time In 50 Years