Between tears, smiles, and laughter, the two women embraced as soon as they saw each other. In between hugging, they took moments to catch glimpses of each other's face, which hint of similarities.
Both have olive-colored skin, dark eyes, high cheekbones, and both wear glasses.
Lisa Ann Krieg of Wooster, Ohio, and Mona Boshey of Sallisaw were born in Denver, Colo., but were given up for adoption by their mother when they were one and two years old.
While Boshey was raised by her biological grandmother in Denver, Krieg was adopted by an Ohio family, Rex and Barbara Alvey, and raised in Wooster.
"I knew ever since I was growing up that I had a sister, but I didn't know where she was," Boshey said.
Boshey turned 43 on Dec. 2 while Krieg turned 42 on Dec. 8, and Krieg said the reunion was the best birthday present.
Krieg knew that she was adopted while she was growing up, but she never knew that she had a sister. She found out six months ago that she had a sister after she went in search of her birth mother.
"I used to pray to God for a sister," Krieg said. "And my prayers were answered."
Krieg began her search through Colorado Confidential Intermediary Service, an agency that locates relatives. She received support from an intermediary, Jo Perry, who works to ensure privacy while locating family members. She found the service after discovering there was a Colorado law that adopted people have a right to all non-identifying information. Perry was able to locate Krieg's birth mother, who lives in Blackgum, but it was up to the mother to make contact with Krieg.
The birth mother spoke to Boshey's grandmother, and the grandmother gave Boshey the information and called her. While Krieg never knew her mother, Boshey kept in touch with her through the years.
Krieg brought her husband with her on the bus trip from Ohio and the couple will stay with Boshey and her family until Dec. 15. Then Boshey and her family will travel with Krieg to Ohio for a month.
"I knew that she was out there, but I didn't know where," Boshey said.
Boshey said her biological grandmother or other relatives didn't know where Krieg was either, and Boshey didn't know how to go about trying to locate her.
"I didn't know that I had a sister," Krieg said.
It turned out that Krieg had more than a sister, she also has seven half-sisters, and two half-brothers. Krieg said after she found out she had a full-sister, she knew she had to find her.
Boshey also has a large immediate family with four children and 11 grandchildren, while Krieg has two children and two step-children. Krieg said her adoptive family is small. Her parents live in Ohio and her brother lives in Florida.
"I never dreamed I had so much family," Krieg said.
Krieg said her adoptive parents were completely supportive from the beginning of her search, and even made and sent a video-tape of Krieg growing up to let Boshey know about Krieg's childhood. They also sent Boshey a card on her birthday, Krieg said.
"There's a lot of tears and happiness," Krieg said. "Now that I found her, I'm never going to lose her again."
Krieg said she is also looking forward to meeting her mother, who she has spoken to over the phone.
Krieg said she started searching for her birth mother 10 years ago but kept hitting brick walls along the way. Then she found out about the Colorado law two years ago and started her search again.
Both women had to sign consent forms to exchange information by working through the intermediary person. They received each other's phone numbers five months ago and have been talking regularly ever since.
"We talk for hours on the phone," Boshey said.
While the two speak over the phone, they said there are never any good-byes. Boshey said they say that they love each other and they will talk again.
