Melissa Andeel was given up for adoption as an infant. But much later, as an adult, she tracked down her biological mother. The two met discreetly on several occasions and even took a trip together. Then Andeel’s mom died. Years after her death, Melissa got in touch with a sister, who’s name also happened to be Melissa. Earlier this summer, Melissa Schaeffer and Melissa Andeel met up in Chicago, where they talked about their relationship at the StoryCorps booth.

Bill Healy produces StoryCorps Chicago and teaches journalism at Northwestern University. Follow him @chicagoan.