When long-term care worker Amy Hache first met her senior client Aline Bossons four years ago, they clicked.
Hache and the now 83-year-old Bossons developed a strong friendship, so strong, they referred to one another as cousins.
Then, last year they started talking about their family surnames and discovered they had three surnames in common from the same town in New Brunswick.
After sending off their DNA to a company called My Heritage DNA, they found out they were indeed related – Hache’s father and Bossons are second cousins.
“It has been a whirlwind of emotions,” said Hache.
Hache, was working in recreation at a local senior’s home Bossons and her husband moved in.
“We got to know each other because Aline is such a social person,” she explained.
Then, when Hache started her own business providing companionship for seniors, Bossons hired Hache to take her out shopping, to doctor’s appointments, and to do errands around town.
Each week, the pair went to Walmart, Dollarama, and thrift stores, and sometimes out for onion rings at A&W.
“Aline is full of life and is very much a people person. I was drawn to her immediately; we just ‘clicked’. We have the same sense of humour, outlook on life, and caring for people,” said Hache, adding she felt like they had been friends forever.
“We chat on the phone a few times a week, checking in and catching up on the day,” she noted.
It was one of those chats when they discovered they were both French, of Acadian descent, from the little towns of Caraquet and Paquetville in New Brunswick.
Then, Bossons mentioned that she had the surname Hache in her family as well, in addition to the surname Cormier – which sounded very familiar to Hache.
So, they decided to have their DNA tested in March and eight weeks later discovered they are related.
Hache said when she shared the results with Bossons, they went nuts – crying, laughing, and reading the results over and over again.
“I called my Dad, who is American and lives in Arizona, to question him and he confirmed all that we were discussing. He was just as excited to learn the results as we were,” said Hache.
Most of their family in New Brunswick have either passed away or moved from the area, but Hache is planning to dig a bit further when she has the time.
“Our relationship has been so fun, deep and something I treasure. Aline is young at heart and at times has more energy than I do! She says I keep her young and I say the same thing about her,” said Hache.
Now their relationship has become even warmer, Hache added.
“It’s a wonderment and a wonderful addition to our friendship. It’s family.’