Morden resident Tracy Knutt always felt different from her family, often joking that she had been "switched at birth." With her dark hair and brown eyes standing in stark contrast to her blonde-haired, blue-eyed relatives, the thought lingered in her mind. It wasn’t until a casual decision to take a 23andMe DNA test that she uncovered a life-changing truth—her biological father was not the man who raised her.
"We did a 23andMe test because my mom was adopted, and we wanted to find out more about her side of the family," Knutt explains. "It came back with all this amazing information—half-siblings, long-lost relatives—but then I saw that the man who raised me wasn’t actually my father."
The revelation was both validating and shocking. "Growing up, I learned in biology class that my blood type didn’t match my parents," she says. "It all makes sense now."
Piecing together the past
The news sent Knutt on a journey to learn more about her biological father. However, her mother, who is in the early stages of dementia, struggled to recall his name. After months of uncertainty, an unexpected breakthrough arrived.
"On Christmas Eve, my mom handed me a photo and said, ‘Do you recognize anyone?’ That’s when she finally remembered his name," Knutt shares. "I felt this overwhelming sense of belonging. I sat in church with my minister and just cried—I finally knew where I came from."
Knutt quickly turned to Google and discovered that her biological father had passed away two decades ago from a heart attack. While she would never get to meet him, her search led her to another unexpected connection—a half-brother living in Saskatchewan.
Meeting family for the first time
Reaching out to her half-brother was a nerve-wracking experience, but Knutt knew she had to do it. "I randomly messaged him on Facebook," she says. "He was pretty shocked."
The two finally met in person this past weekend, marking a momentous occasion for Knutt. "We look so much alike! For the first time in my life, I saw someone who resembled me," she shares. "It was amazing."
Their first meeting took place over a long conversation at a restaurant. "We talked for three hours straight," Knutt exclaims. "We were joking, interrupting each other, and it just felt so natural. I was nervous to meet him, but he and my sister-in-law are amazing people."
A journey of identity and health awareness
Beyond personal discovery, Knutt’s DNA test also provided valuable health information. "I found out that my mom carries two variants of the Alzheimer’s gene, and my biological dad’s side has a history of heart disease," she says. "Knowing this, I can be proactive with my own health."
Knutt has since connected with her biological father’s widow, who lives in British Columbia. "She was so welcoming and told me how much my dad would have loved me," Knutt says. "Apparently, he was very involved in his community and loved kids. There’s even a tournament named in his honour."
Looking ahead
Knutt’s journey is far from over. She plans to meet more of her newfound family members and introduce her twin sister to their half-brother. "She can’t wait to meet him," says Knutt. "We even did a DNA test for her, just in case we had different fathers—but we have the same dad!"
Reflecting on the experience, Knutt expresses deep gratitude. "For years, I felt like I didn’t quite fit in," she said. "Now, I know that I belong."