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

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

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

Collie Reacts To Reuniting With Owner After Two Years

Mom Records Sons Airport Reunions With Grandma Who Lives Across Country

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

Emotional Moment Woman Finally Hugs Biological Brother For First Time

Mother And Daughter Reunited After 52 Years Apart

Kids Reunited With Military Dad After More Than 500 Days Apart

Dad Who Didn't Change Phone Number For 20 Years Reunites With Daughters Who Found Him

Adopted Boy With Down Syndrome Reunited With Birth Mom

Couple With Special Needs Reunite After Two Years Apart

Man Reunites With Grandma Who Raised Him Before He Moved To US

Military Mom Practices Hugs For Daughter Reunion

Military Brother Returns Home To Surprise Sister Battling Leukemia

Man Surprised With Flight To Reunite With Family After 18 Years

Daughter Surprises Biological Dad After More Than 20 Years Apart

Dad Travels 15 Hours To Surprise Daughter During Basketball Game

Son Surprises Biological Mom At Skatepark After 18 Years Apart

Boy Has Wholesome Reunion With Sisters After Brain Surgery

Best Friend Cousins Reunite At Airport And Exchange Friendship Bracelets

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

Girl Surprises Grandmother With Christmas Gift After Family Tragedy

Brothers In Nineties Finally Reunited After Year Apart

Siblings Who Are Deaf Reunite After Over A Decade Apart

Military Dad Surprises Son Who Thinks He's Meeting Newborn Sister