Sarasota miracle: Sisters find each other after 40 years working same job

SARASOTA -- Two sisters in Sarasota have found each other after 40 years working in the same profession.

Meagan Hughes and Holly O'Brien work side by side as certified nursing assistants at Doctors Hospital in Sarasota.

"We clicked really well. We became instantly friends," said O'Brien.

However, they didn't know they were both born in Korea, put in an orphanage and later adopted by two different American families.

Hughes lived in New York. O'Brien lived in Virginia.

They began careers in the medical field and this year they both started working at Doctors Hospital on the same floor and on the same shift.

"It was our calling," said Hughes.

O'Brien knew she had a sister, but hadn't seen her since she was 4 years old.

"I always ask: God please find me a sister," said O'Brien.

After getting to know each other, finding out they're both from the same Korean town, they wondered: "What if?"

"I wondered if she could be related to me. That's the question in my mind," said O'Brien.

The women compared passports and found out they share the same Korean last name of Shin.

"I said 'Oh my gosh! That is my name,'" said Hughes.

DNA test lab results confirmed their prayers had been answered. They were sisters.

"I was just shaking and crying," said O'Brien.

Their incredible story has been told by news agencies all over the world. The sisters are thinking about writing a book or even being on a TV show. They say no matter what, they will always be together.

"I hit the jackpot," said Hughes, looking at her sister.

"I know it's huge," replied O'Brien.

The sisters are planning on spending Thanksgiving together. Hughes has two daughters and O'Brien said she can't wait to spoil them when Christmas comes around.

This story was originally published October 20, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Sarasota miracle: Sisters find each other after 40 years working same job ."