Two best friends who have known each other 16 years have made the amazing discovery – that they are SISTERS.
Alison Slavin, 41, and Sam Davies, 43, found they share the same father after adopted child Alison tracked down her biological mother.
They never suspected they were related despite living remarkably similar lives – they look alike, both work as childminders, have two children and live less than a mile apart.
Alison made the discovery when a friend helped her trace her birth mother, who revealed her natural father was called Terry Cox.
She immediately recognised it as the name of Sam’s dad – and DNA tests later confirmed the pair are half sisters.
Alison – who was a bridesmaid at Sam’s wedding – said: ”We had joked in the past we were sisters as people used to always ask us if we were, saying we looked alike.
”But I was shocked to find out we were actually half sisters.
”Sam was out and I could not get hold of her so I texted her the words ‘Hello Sis’ and then an hour later I phoned and explained everything and she was so excited.
“I was adopted from birth and never looked into my natural parents because I had a lovely and fantastic childhood so I didn’t feel the need.”
The pair met in 1993 through a mutual friend and used to go to karaoke twice a week and soon became best friends.
Alison found her real mum after she got talking to a friend in February this year who said she may know how to trace her birth mum.
A few weeks later the friend supplied a phone number for the mother and Alison boldly got in touch in March before being reunited days later.
Alison said she nervously met her mother – who she does not want to name – after being given the number but never expected another twist in the tale.
She said: ”She told me she was 19 when she put me up for adoption and my biological father was Terry Cox.
”I felt the colour drain from my face, that was Sam’s biological father’s name. In all of Bristol what was the chance of him being the same chap, but he was.
”She accepted the news straight away and even got in touch with Terry on Facebook to tell him. He lives in Spain but then he requested me as a friend on Facebook.
”Two weeks ago we had DNA tests back and confirmed we are related. Both of us have had happy childhoods so I suppose this is just the icing on the cake.”
Alison, of Oldland Common, Bristol, said she sent a text message simply saying ‘Hello Sis’ when she found out as she could not get through on the phone to chat to her.
Sam, of nearby Hanham, said: ”When Alison texted me telling me we were sisters a tiny part of me thought she was joking but a bigger part of me thought ‘Oh my God’.
”After the initial shock I spoke to Alison and she explained everything and I thought wow.
”I had always wanted a sister and what better sister could I have than my best friend.
”Second to getting married and giving birth to my children, it was the most exciting thing I have ever been told.
”It’s sad we didn’t find out sooner but you can’t change what’s happened. We’re just absolutely thrilled we have found out now.”
The pair see each other four times a week and share the same taste in clothes owning the same boots, dressing gowns and same style of tops.
They have now bought a Links of London charm bracelet each to commemorate their discovery.
Sam said: ”Alison had one and I loved it so I got one and recently we went out and bought matching charms to signify us finding out we are sisters.
”The charm is a silver book which has the word ‘once upon a time’ on it because we thought it was relevant because this is such a nice story.”
Glad these ladies made the connection. As an adoptee who recently found his own biological family, I say congrats ^,^ It’s been a fun ride for me since finding them last year, and I’ve had a ball getting to know all my siblings on both sides. Glad it worked out so well for them ^,^