Erica Hunt grew up not knowing her father. That ever-growing question of who he was, made her wonder about who she was. "It was hard because it's like, it's an identity crisis. I want to know what the other side is, and I only had half of the picture," Hunt said.Hunt, who is biracial, said that drive to fill in the blanks led her to Ancestry.com in April. Two months later, she would meet siblings she never knew she had.Most of the siblings met Friday in Modesto, California. Although they have only known each other for two months, it's clear: Their bond is strong. "It's such a gift that our father gave us to leave us a sibling," Michelle Center Ortiz, Hunt's older sister said.This was first made possible with a message that Hunt had sent Ortiz, stating that she was looking for her birth father. The information Hunt had given Ortiz pointed to a man named Bailey Center, who died in 2015. Initially, Hunt thought Ortiz may have been a cousin. But Ortiz was concerned. She was a little wary that a stranger was contacting her about Bailey, who was her father. "I was a little coy because I was really worried that maybe it was a scam. I didn't know," Ortiz recalled.Ortiz hired a private investigator who vetted Hunt and confirmed their relationship through DNA. Hunt was also able to give some details such as how her father dressed and what kind of soda he liked. "I went, ‘Oh my God, that's my father.' He used to love to buy A&W root beer by cartons and go fishing," Ortiz said. "Just uncanny the things that they knew that could not be linked to a DNA profile and that's when I knew." Ortiz added that the family resemblance can be also seen in pictures as the two women share similar traits, such as their foreheads and cheekbones.Over Zoom, Ortiz then introduced Hunt to her brothers Bailey II, who is currently out of the country, as well as Keith, Chris, and Brian -- all living on the east coast.Quietly, without telling Hunt, the siblings hatched a plan to meet her. Hunt's coworkers helped set up the surprise. Eagerly, the siblings hid behind walls, pillars and trees before the big reveal.Moments before Ortiz met her youngest sibling, she sobbed, overwhelmed and said, "I wish daddy was here. He would be so proud."As Hunt walked out for lunch, Ortiz and her three brothers walked up to greet her. The siblings hugged and cried. "I'm glad to give my title of youngest over. It's super exciting to have an extra person in the family," Chris Center, Hunt's brother said."I don't have kids myself so it's kind of cool that I've got an addition to the family this way. And, what an addition it is," Keith Center said.With the siblings now together, the picture Hunt had wished for is now coming into focus.As a newly united family, they have plans to get to know each other better and make up for time lost."We are going to give her all the love we have because we have loved her from the moment she came to us," Ortiz said.
Erica Hunt grew up not knowing her father. That ever-growing question of who he was, made her wonder about who she was.
"It was hard because it's like, it's an identity crisis. I want to know what the other side is, and I only had half of the picture," Hunt said.
Hunt, who is biracial, said that drive to fill in the blanks led her to Ancestry.com in April. Two months later, she would meet siblings she never knew she had.
Most of the siblings met Friday in Modesto, California. Although they have only known each other for two months, it's clear: Their bond is strong.
"It's such a gift that our father gave us to leave us a sibling," Michelle Center Ortiz, Hunt's older sister said.
This was first made possible with a message that Hunt had sent Ortiz, stating that she was looking for her birth father. The information Hunt had given Ortiz pointed to a man named Bailey Center, who died in 2015. Initially, Hunt thought Ortiz may have been a cousin.
But Ortiz was concerned. She was a little wary that a stranger was contacting her about Bailey, who was her father.
"I was a little coy because I was really worried that maybe it was a scam. I didn't know," Ortiz recalled.
Ortiz hired a private investigator who vetted Hunt and confirmed their relationship through DNA. Hunt was also able to give some details such as how her father dressed and what kind of soda he liked.
"I went, ‘Oh my God, that's my father.' He used to love to buy A&W root beer by cartons and go fishing," Ortiz said. "Just uncanny the things that they knew that could not be linked to a DNA profile and that's when I knew."
Ortiz added that the family resemblance can be also seen in pictures as the two women share similar traits, such as their foreheads and cheekbones.
Over Zoom, Ortiz then introduced Hunt to her brothers Bailey II, who is currently out of the country, as well as Keith, Chris, and Brian -- all living on the east coast.
Quietly, without telling Hunt, the siblings hatched a plan to meet her. Hunt's coworkers helped set up the surprise. Eagerly, the siblings hid behind walls, pillars and trees before the big reveal.
Moments before Ortiz met her youngest sibling, she sobbed, overwhelmed and said, "I wish daddy was here. He would be so proud."
As Hunt walked out for lunch, Ortiz and her three brothers walked up to greet her. The siblings hugged and cried.
"I'm glad to give my title of youngest over. It's super exciting to have an extra person in the family," Chris Center, Hunt's brother said.
"I don't have kids myself so it's kind of cool that I've got an addition to the family this way. And, what an addition it is," Keith Center said.
With the siblings now together, the picture Hunt had wished for is now coming into focus.
As a newly united family, they have plans to get to know each other better and make up for time lost.
"We are going to give her all the love we have because we have loved her from the moment she came to us," Ortiz said.
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