Half-Siblings Reunited: A Tale of My Half Sister, My Dad, My Brother and I

When I was little, I had always wanted a sister-younger, older, it really didn't matter just as long as I got a sister. Of course, I was the oldest of my mother's children so realistically, an older sister was pretty much impossible.

As a senior, life was about to begin for me. I was about to graduate and go off to college and do something with my life. One day, everything changed when my dad sat down to speak to us about Ashley, our potential half-sibling. My brother was pissed, as was I-though in all retrospect there really wasn't any reason to be upset. Life happens, things change.

When I first met Ashley, I didn't get to really talk to her or spend time with her. My best friend Caity and come over to help me get through things and offer support; and of course, rag on my potential half-sister for being so selfish as to come into our lives at a time like this. (I admit it, I was a spoiled, self-centered child sometimes.)

Having a half-sister suddenly show up was quite the change in my life. It began the ending of my parents marriage (for various reasons, including "cheating" which was in all reality, impossible due to Ashley's age in comparison to when my parents first met.)

That, and of course, several of my family members swearing up and down that there was absolutely "no way in hell" (their words,) that Ashley could be my father's daughter. Many of them even felt that Ashley was only here for money, though it is my understanding that she's never asked for any money.

I was disappointed to learn that we had gone to rival high schools and that chances were, I had come across or seen Ashley at some point or another during schooling. It was inevitable due to our schools. In fact, it was my understanding that we only lived a few streets away from one another. It's crazy to think you were so close to someone, but not even know that they were there.

As of yet, we have not had any DNA tests. This is, from what I understand, because my dad wants to pay for the tests even though at the time, Ashley wanted to pay to find out for sure that my dad was indeed, her dad as well. I don't need DNA tests to tell me that Ashley is most definitely my half-sister. She has many of my dad's facial features.

Today Ashley and I have little contact aside from the occasional short chat. We're both married and living about an hour apart, so it's hard to get together.

I still invite her out for family events that include myself, my dad or my brother (Christmas even, Thanksgiving dinners and so forth) but as of yet, she hasn't been able to make it out to any. I don't hold it against her, it's hard between finances, having 3 (going on 4) kids and of course, living so far apart. My husband and I, on the other hand, do not currently have any children.

We may never have the relationship I had always dreamed about, but at least I've got a sister, even if she is only a half-sister.