When Ron Brown's son, Dawson, asked for a genetic testing kit for Christmas, no one could've predicted how much it would change the lives of two families.
The story is becoming more common, something you see online every once and a while - people finding relatives they never knew through genetic testing websites like 23andMe.
Dawson's results linked him to Bill Hawkins, a 73-year-old man living in San Diego who had taken the test previously after also receiving it as a gift.
"Then the conversation began between Bill and Dawson's mother, and they sent pictures back and forth and communicated," Brown said. "One day Heather said, 'Oh my God, Ron - I think you have a half-brother.'"
Brown, who has lived in Jefferson City for 30 years, had grown up an only child without a single thought he could have a sibling out in the world.
Hawkins, about ten years Brown's senior, knew he had been adopted by his parents in Kansas City. He also had never known he might have a sibling.
"I never knew anything about anything, except I thought my mother's name was Stout, because that was on the adoption certificate," Hawkins said.
Once the seed had been planted that Bill and Ron might be half-brothers, they started communicating. When they exchanged photos, there was no way to miss the resemblance between the two.
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"I was in disbelief to begin with, then when I saw his picture, I was like 'Holy cow,' and then he told me his birth name was Stout - what are the odds," Brown said.
The timeline of Hawkins' birth and when Brown knew his mother had lived in Kansas City lined up, and her maiden name had been Stout. Then, Brown learned a secret his aunt had kept from everyone for 40 years - his mother had placed a child for adoption the same year Hawkins was born.
At that point, it was only a matter of Brown submitting his DNA to the website, and it was a match - they were half-brothers, sharing the same biological mother.
"My first reaction was shock," Hawkins said. "I never dreamed something like this would happen. I thought I might find maybe a cousin somewhere, but it never occurred to me I'd find a brother out there."
That was back in March, and after phone calls and video chats, the pair wanted to meet in person. But with half a country between them and the COVID-19 pandemic hitting the United States, that was easier said than done.
After some canceled plans, Hawkins, his wife, Linda, and their youngest daughter, Sandi, touched down at the airport on Thursday night.
The meeting, right outside the airport, was full of hugs and laughter and wide smiles on both faces.
"It was joyful, and I'm sure my brother feels the same way," Brown said, of finally meeting in person. "We'd FaceTimed so much, we knew in half a second. Well, it's like looking at yourself."
The physical resemblance is easy to see, and as the brothers and their families have gotten to know each other, other similarities have come to light.
Both men spent some time working in sales and chose careers that require an outgoing, extroverted personality - Brown in communications and Hawkins in motivational speaking.
"We've got more in common than really a lot of regular brothers do," Brown said.
Even as the families chat, circled around Brown's home bar on Friday night, they continue to notice similar mannerisms between the two men. Little things, like the way they count back to remember what year something happened.
Brown's significant other, Pamela Browner, and Linda Hawkins agree the two have similar personalities - both are upbeat, with similar senses of humor.
"I've just gotten to know him the last 24 hours, and he's a hell of a fine guy," Hawkins said with a laugh. "I like him. Which is a good start."
For Hawkins, who grew up an only child raised by only-child parents, connecting with Brown brings more than just a brother. Both men have children, who are now nieces and nephews to the other.
"I didn't have aunts or uncles or nieces or nephews or cousins or anything like that, so this is kind of a godsend," Hawkins said. "I've gone from no family to lots of family."
This connection also gives Hawkins a chance to learn about his biological mother. The families spent Friday visiting their mother's hometown of Sedalia. They visited the school she went to and her burial site.
Even though their visit this weekend will be short, the two are already planning to meet up as often as they can, and they're happy to have found each other.
"It's a feel-good situation, and all of these aren't," Hawkins said. "I've known people over the years who have had good reunions and not so good reunions, but I think this is going to be a spectacular reunion."
It may be later in life than most people meet their siblings, but the two aren't focused on the lost years.
"It wasn't meant to be," Hawkins said. "It's meant to be now."
With a nod and a smile, Brown says: "Better late than never."