Two Hawaiian best friends who have known each other for 60 years have found out that they are actually long-lost brothers. They found out about their biological relationship by undergoing a DNA test on the family history website, Ancestry.com.
Walter Macfarlane, 74, and Alan Robinson, 72, have been the closest of friends since they met in the sixth grade in Hawaii. The two men shared a deep bond, having been each other’s confidants and support system through thick and thin.
Both of them were born and brought up on the island and even had the opportunity to play football together at Punahou.
Macfarlane had revealed that he had never known his father while Robinson had been adopted.
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During the last few years, Macfarlane made efforts to uncover information regarding his father by utilizing the internet and social media, but he was unsuccessful in his attempts. He then turned to DNA matching websites for families.
‘So then we started digging into all the matches he started getting,’ Macfarlane’s daughter Cindy Macfarlane-Flores explained.
During the test, on top of the list was a user named Robi737, and the results showed that they had multiple matches, including the same X chromosomes.
Macfarlane-Flores explained that Robinson, who was known by the nickname “Robi,” was a pilot for Aloha Airlines, and his username was a reference to that.
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It’s ironic to note that Robinson had also resorted to Ancestry.com to unravel the mysteries surrounding his family. After both friends used the website and got in touch with each other, they had a conversation on the phone, during which they discovered that they had the same biological mother.
‘It was a shock,’ Macfarlane said.
‘Yea it was shock, definitely and then we thought about it and compared forearms,’ Robinson said.
‘Yea hairy arms, that did it!’ Macfarlane shouted.
On Saturday night, the two best friends, who are only 15 months apart in age and are now confirmed biological brothers, informed their friends and family about this incredible discovery.
‘It was an overwhelming experience, it’s still overwhelming. I don’t know how long it’s going to take for me to get over this feeling,’ Robinson said.
‘It really is a Christmas miracle and we’re just so happy that we found it,’ Macfarlane-Flores said.
For Macfarlane and Robinson, this revelation has only strengthened their bond. As they put it, they now have 60 years of catching up to do. And they planned to travel together as brothers.
