Latoya Wimberly and Ashley Thomas have been best friends since middle school, but the two sisters in spirit recently found out that after 17 years of friendship that they are also biological sisters. 

“I almost passed out,” Wimberly, 29, told Good Morning America, recounting the moment that she found out that her biological father is also her best friend’s biological dad. “Then I immediately called Ashley.” 

“The first few nights I couldn’t go to sleep,” said Thomas, 31. “I’m happy that she’s my sister but had some emotions that this guy I’ve been around this whole time I never knew he was my father.” 

Thomas who was raised by her late mother and a man who she would later learn was not her biological father after she turned 15. Questions would continue to spark about the best friends’ connection after Thomas posted a photo of her Wimberly on Facebook earlier this year.

“I gave her a shout out on Facebook and my mom’s best friend said, ‘I didn’t know you were Kenneth’s daughter's best friend,” said Thomas while referring to Kenneth Wimberly, her best friend's biological father. “I called [Latoya] a few days later and told her my mom’s best friend said she knew your dad and your dad may know my mom.” 

Latoya later tried to connect the dots that not only did she and her best friend look alike as kids but Thomas also did not know her biological dad. 

This would eventually prompt Wimberly to ask her dad to get a DNA test. The sisters split the fee of the test in half with their father. 

“That was the best $100 I ever spent,” Kenneth Wimberly to GMA.  “I am happy that she’s my daughter and everyone is happy that she’s a part of the family.”

With the results finally in the family have continued to piece together the unique moments of their family story together from its nearly two-decade history.  

“As a father, I’ve always been there and I’ve always raised my children and this deprived Ashley of having me in her life to raise her,” Kenneth said when speaking of Thomas. “I just feel so bad for her but we can’t undo what happened.” 

Looking back on how Ashley would call him “Big Kenny” her father says that she is transitioning the nickname to “dad”. 

“She just looks at me when she does it and smiles,” he said.

Despite how the best friends confirmed family tree was revealed, the foundation rooted in friendship is the strongest pillar. 

“I wouldn’t change it because I don’t know if we had known we were sisters, that we would have this bond and be as close as we are,” Latoya said. “I have questions but no regrets.”