Mother and daughter celebrate first Mother’s Day together 62 years later, thanks to DNA test

SALINAS, Calif.- Mother's Day is on Sunday. A mother and daughter that reunited thanks to a DNA test will be spending the holiday together, for the first time.

Debbie Elliot reunited with her mom in September 2021 after taking a 23&Me test. The mother and daughter described their reunion as an emotional one.

“I was getting out of the plane and I was crying on the plane before I got off of it,” said Rose Garmany, Debbie’s mother. “Just knowing I was going to meet my little girl.”

“We get emotional because it's been so long,” said Debbie. “She's 81 and I’m 62 and we're just meeting. We're just trying to enjoy so much time together.”

Debbie first took the test to search for siblings. But didn't expect to find her mom.

“My daughter Heather, for Christmas, gave me a 23&Me kit,” said Debbie. ”A cousin came on there and told me mom was alive because I was told she had passed away.”

Since reuniting, the mother and daughter have been spending a lot of quality time together, like going out to the beach.

Debbie also used 23& Me to connect with and find other family members. Debbie said she’s the oldest out of 18 children. So far, she knows of one brother in Ohio but is still searching for the others.

In the meantime, Debbie found that she and her mom share the same interests.

“We have so much in common,” said Debbie. “The one thing we have in common is the Young and the Restless soap opera. She's never missed a show. Neither have I. We both love movies.”

Rose was going to fly back to New York this month. But extended her visit till August.