Two long-lost brothers have finally found each other after getting results back from a DNA test!
20-year-old Kieron Graham was living with his adopted family in Marietta, Georgia. While he loved them dearly, he always had questions about his biological family. So for Christmas, his mom gave him a DNA test so he could dig into his history.
After getting his results, Kierson was surprised to find out that he actually had a biological brother. The 29-year-old’s name was Vincent Ghant, and a quick search on Facebook instantly connected the brothers!
What’s crazier is that Kieron and Vincent lived only 15 minutes away from each other this entire time. They both went to Kennesaw State University, and were even studying the same major: political science. “It was very surreal how much we looked alike,” Vincent told TODAY of their meeting. “It was amazing. We just stared at each other and we both were laughing, giggling, and crying,” Kieron added.
The two siblings now spend time together a few times a week and have gotten to know each other’s families. They all plan to spend Christmas together, and will take a family vacation to Florida later in the year!
But the good news just kept on coming! Ancestry DNA found out about this story and offered to fly them to Benin to meet their African ancestors. Though Vincent couldn’t make it, Kieron flew over and discovered the two were related to royalty: the King of the capital city of Benin! Talk about a life-changing experience!
I was so proud of my little sis Alexis last year as she stepped on the field for Old Dominion University‘s Homecoming. After applying with other hopefuls, getting to the interviewing stage, and going through the campaign process, she managed to make it onto to ODU’s 2017 homecoming court. A big feat for her senior year!
I was proud of her beyond just making the court, because I realized that a reason she was a part of it was because of the different organizations she’s involved in at ODU, on top of maintaining a great GPA in her psychology classes. Even though she didn’t become a “Royal Monarch,” she’s still a queen to me. She may not have won the crown, but it took a lot of courage to go out for this, especially at a school with almost 20,000 undergrads. And she looked amazing!
Alexis during ODU’s homecoming game
Throughout her four years at ODU, I would advise Lex on how important it was to not just be all about school. I told her that she should get out, meet new people, and get involved, which can be daunting to do at a huge school especially. But she did anyway, stepping outside of her comfort zone and blossoming into a strong young adult that turned 22 today!
Surprised that my own baby sis would be reteaching me some life lessons LOL, but she’s been reminding me of a lot over these past few years, like watching what I say. Looking at her that day at ODU, it was a stark reminder of how important is step out of your comfort zone and try new things, even when you really don’t know how they’re going to pan out.
Obviously, comfort zones are nice and cozy. Doing the same old things that we’re relaxed in doing is safe and secure. But the problem is that we never grow by doing the same old things over and over. We never push our limits or strengthen our skills and mindsets by staying where it’s comfortable all the time. Sure, we’re safe, but we also tend to remain stuck in the same spot.
Case in point, I just took on a new writing project that is quite different than anything I’ve done before. It’s making me a little anxious, to be honest, but I’m trying to push myself outside of my limits so that I can continue to grow as a writer. You ultimately get better and stronger by pushing yourself to do more than you thought you ever could.
As I challenge myself, I challenge all of you to go after that new job. To take on that new project. To try your hand at something you’re curious about but never thought you would be able to do. I challenge you to go outside of your comfort zone, and see where you end up!
What was a time where you had to step outside of what you knew? How did it pan out? Let me know in the comments!
This is the season for giving, and one family in Idaho definitely received a holiday surprise they’ll never forget!
Mike Bartell and his six children has had a rough few years after his wife and their mother, Lauriann, fell into a coma during surgery after suffering a bleeding ulcer. Mike cut back on his work hours to take care of his kids, ages ranging 12 to 24. Even the kids began helping out and even took up jobs to help support the family and their mother’s hospitalization.
The situation has definitely been a stressful one for Mike, but he and his family just received an amazing gift for Christmas this year. They were surprised with a donation of $10,000 by a Secret Santa, at a time where they so desperately needed it!
Mike opened his door earlier this month to be met with a news crew from EastIdahoNews.com, which presented him with the check. “Mostly I was just overwhelmed, I couldn’t believe it,” Mike told Inside Edition. “It was something that was needed so badly.”
Mike and his family plans to spend the money on living expenses. Meanwhile, they continue to take care of Lauriann, who has improved over the years. They are hopeful that she will make a full recovery one day.
What an incredibly thoughtful surprise! Whoever donated these funds must have known what this family was truly going through, and wanted to bless them this Christmas. Prayers and thoughts go out to them!
Oh lawd, this poor dad was stunned after finding out the sex of his fifth child, he couldn’t even speak!
Mark and Angel Taylor of Arlington, TX, are already parents to four girls, Jordyn, 12, Juliyn, 9 Jaxsyn, 3 and Jestyn, 9 months. Needless to say, after finding out that Angel was carrying their fifth child, Mark was probably hoping for a little boy! I can’t imagine how the ladies of the house probably gang up on him now.
Welp, sadly, Mark didn’t get his wish! Angel recorded his reaction as he walked through the door to pink balloons on his living room floor, revealing that baby girl #5 was on the way. According to the mom, Mark was quiet for a full two hours after he got the news. “He just wouldn’t talk,” she revealed to ABC News. After the two suffered a miscarriage, Mark held out hope. “My husband’s thinking, ‘This is a miracle baby, so this has to be a boy,” Angel added. “He always wanted to call the baby [boy] Tre. I already came to terms that this was a baby girl.”
Watch the funny video below!
Mark’s shock did eventually wear off, and he expressed excitement over having another girl in the family. “Five is my favorite number, so five girls is fitting,” he said. Baby Jazlyn is set to arrive on May 3, so the family has some time to prepare, especially Mark. Sending up some special prayers for him, especially for when these ladies get older LOL!
I want to wish a very happy Father’s Day to all of the great fathers out there! Thank you for all you do, and enjoy your day today!
In the same way that I did a post for my mom on Mother’s Day, I would be remiss if I didn’t celebrate my dad. I can’t even fake. I’m definitely a Daddy’s girl. We can bump heads and all, but I know that, no matter what, that man has my back and will be there for me in a second. He’s already proven that over the years, and continues to. My father is a great example of how a man should be, and what I’ve sought in my own relationship.
One of the biggest things my father has taught me how to truly be a leader. He’s always thrust into different roles in leadership, and it never surprises me, because people see what I see—a man who truly lives out the ideals and values he has as a man of God. Simply put: He doesn’t just talk about it. He’s ’bout it. My dad never asks anything of anyone that he isn’t willing to do himself, and he often volunteers to help others without needing to be asked. He works well alongside people, and is always open to other people’s ideas rather than just his own. He stands tall in his convictions, no matter who may agree or not. That inspires me to be the same in my own life.
Dad and I before I left to study abroad in Australia back in 2011
Dad also taught me the importance of hard work. Over the years, he worked his way up in the ranks of sales, becoming one of the top salespeople in his current company with decades of experience under his belt. See, some people legitimately want to play like they’re grinding to impress whoever. My dad truly puts in the time and energy that’s required to be one of the best, not just for his own personal goals, but, ultimately, for his family. Seeing that regularly pushes me to keep going even when I think about giving up.
In more recent years, Dad helped me learn one of my most important lessons: persevering in the midst of adversity. I had faced some challenge when I was in high school and college, but that didn’t compare to when I hit the REAL real world after graduation. Life came at me hard and fast, and kept on knocking me flat on my back. After all of the misses, the rejections with other opportunities, and my delays in life, I began to live like I was defeated and wanted to just give in. Like I wasn’t a child of God and a victory wasn’t promised to me already. Even though I was too in my feelings at the time, my dad kept telling me my time was coming, but that I HAD to keep plugging away. I had to keep pushing through in spite of how I felt to get to what God has for me. Slowly, but surely I’ve been getting there. I’m glad my dad kept on encouraging me.
Me, my dad, my sister and my cousin on Father’s Day 2016
Daddy, thank you for all of the lessons you’ve taught me over the years (Yes…I really do listen!). Thank you for continuing to be there for me, and for the love you consistently show me, Alexis, and Bre. If it’s one man on this earth I know I’ll always be able to depend on, it’s you. I love you, and happy Father’s Day!
Imperfectly B 