When my dad took a 23andMe DNA test in 2018, we expected nothing more than the confirmation that he was German. But when I got his results back, I immediately knew something was wrong.

Looking at the list of his DNA matches, I didn’t recognize a single name — there was not a Schlott to be found. Suddenly, I started to wonder: Could my dad have been adopted?

Neither of my dad’s parents, who were long deceased nor anyone in his family had ever even hinted at anything of the sort. But still, I had to ask.

“Dad,” I said to him one day as we sat in our living room at home in New Jersey. “Do you think you might have been adopted?”

Dad shot me a shocked look. “No way,” he said.

But my curiosity got the best of me. I continued to examine his DNA results, and my suspicions only grew. I asked my dad if I could apply for his adoption records. I told him if nothing came back, then we could put the matter to rest, and he agreed.

A few weeks later, a letter arrived from New York State. When I opened the envelope, my heart nearly stopped. Sure enough, the state confirmed it had a sealed adoption record for my father.

That afternoon, over lunch, I told my dad the news. This time, he listened and nodded, and let it all sink in. And his response…