3 YEARS AS FACEBOOK FRIENDS, A LIFETIME AS FATHER AND DAUGHTER FROM VIRTUAL CONNECTION TO REAL-LIFE REUNION
Life surprises us when we least expect it, often in profound and heartwarming ways. For Tamuna Museridze, a Georgian journalist, an unexpected discovery in 2016 set her on a journey that would forever change her life. While going through the personal belongings of the woman she believed to be her mother, Tamuna stumbled upon a birth
Tamuna’s work as a journalist without knowing they shared a bond far more profound than shared interests.
“He didn’t even know my birth mother had been pregnant,” Tamuna shared with the BBC. “It was a huge surprise for him.”
certificate with her name on it — but with the wrong date. The discovery led to countless questions and, finally, a revelation: She had been adopted at birth. What followed was a courageous quest to uncover her roots. Tamuna, with her investigative skills, created a Facebook group aptly named "Vedzeb" ("I’m Searching"), hoping to find her biological family. Years passed with little progress until one day, a message appeared. A woman from rural Georgia mentioned she knew someone who had concealed a pregnancy and traveled to Tbilisi in September 1984 — the month Tamuna was born.
When they finally met at Gurgen’s home, the moment was surreal. They sat together in silence, staring at one another, realizing they were indeed father and daughter. Slowly, they began to bond, discovering a shared love for dance — a passion Gurgen had unknowingly passed down to Tamuna’s daughters, who also practice ballet.
While her reunion with her biological mother was not as joyful, Gurgen’s warmth and acceptance brought Tamuna immeasurable comfort. Gurgen hosted a family reunion to celebrate their newfound connection, inviting relatives far and wide to welcome Tamuna into the fold. Reflecting on the journey, Tamuna shared, “It was strange. The moment he looked at me, he knew I was his daughter.” Their story is a testament to resilience, the power of human connection, and the extraordinary ways life brings us together.
That message became a turning point. A DNA test with the stranger confirmed she was Tamuna’s aunt, and soon, she finally unearthed her biological father's name. She didn’t expect that her father, 72-year-old Gurgen Khorava, had been a friend on her Facebook page for three years. Gurgen, a former member of the State Ballet of Georgia, had followed
SUDOKU
EATS WITH ELLIE
SKILLET CHICKEN IN CREAMY SUN-DRIED TOMATO SAUCE
INGREDIENTS •
2 tbsp butter
•
2/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• • • •
5 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• • • • • •
2 tbsp lemon juice 1/4 cup pine nuts
3 garlic cloves, minced 2 tbsp herbes de Provence
1 cup spinach
3/4 cup canned sun-dried tomatoes, drained and julienned
Fresh thyme, for topping Salt and pepper to taste
• •
1 cup chicken broth 1/2 cup heavy cream
Cooked rice or linguine, for serving
DIRECTIONS 1. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook for 7–8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside. 2. In the same pan, add garlic, herbes de Provence, tomatoes, chicken broth, cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, pine nuts, and spinach and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, and stir periodically until thickened and spinach is wilted, about 3 minutes. 3. Return chicken to the pan and top with salt, pepper, more Parmesan cheese, and thyme, and serve over rice or linguine.
Inspired by LeCremeDeLaCrumb.com
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