Man meets biological mother for first time at RSW

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FORT MYERS, Fla. George Aswad hugged his biological mother Thursday for the first time in 58 years.

Aswad, of North Carolina, was given up for adoption after his mother gave birth in 1959 in Manhattan.

Aswad and his wife.

Through the years, Aswad grew up wondering who his mother was, until this year, when his son bought him two at-home DNA kits, 23andMe and Ancestry.

“One thing led to another through different searches,” Aswad said. “We found my mother and some half-sisters.”

Aswad was reconnected with his half-sisters, who took him to visit the grave of his biological father. His adoptive parents passed away several years ago.

Aswad held up a sign that read “Hi mom! I’ve been waiting 58 years for this moment,” as he anxiously waited to surprise his 80-year-old mother at Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, where she planned to meet other relatives.

Emotion and joy filled the air as the two met for the first time.

“I gave a beautiful gift 58 years ago and I got it back. It’s just almost unheard of. After 58 years, I’m 80 and I never thought I’d see him,” said Jackie Montoya, Aswad’s mother.

WINK News captured the heartwarming moment live on Facebook:

 

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