For two couples in California who were victims of an IVF mix-up, Thanksgiving looks a little different than most.
Alexander and Daphna Cardinale birthed a stranger's baby in 2019 and raised her, May, as their own for months until DNA tests revealed their embryos had been swapped with another couple's - who was now raising the Cardinales' biological daughter, Zoe, as their own.
"There's no person to give you advice. So we ended up just sort of huddling together, the four of us, and it's a blessing that we all are on the same page," said Alexander.
Despite the switch, the families never wanted to sever ties. The girls went to the same preschool and both signed up for ballet so they could see each other more often. Playdates are a common occurrence and the families even joined together as one blended family in a formal ceremony officiated by the same pastor who married Daphna and Alexander.
Daphna gave birth to May in September 2019. Before the devastating revelation, she was overjoyed when she and her husband welcomed their daughter into the world. But it didn't take long for Alexander to notice their newborn May had jet black hair, nothing close to her mother's red hair or her father's light features.
"I carried this child. I birthed her. She felt so familiar to me that it didn't even occur to me that she couldn't be ours," Daphna told People.
The day after Christmas in 2019, the couples met at a law firm to discuss how to move forward. Alexander was the first to voice what they were all thinking but afraid to say - they should switch their babies.
"The moment my hands went under my daughter's arms and we locked eyes, something powerful and unexpected washed over me. I knew this child," said Alexander about meeting Zoe.
After reading DNA results confirming neither parent was biologically related to May or Zoe looking like them respectively due recessive genes being passed down from either side; both families feared losing these bonds built during those early months yet ultimately decided switching would be best long-term solution despite initial struggles adjusting emotionally afterwards especially mothers involved here who found themselves torn between new connections formed versus previous ones lost through no fault anyone directly responsible such unfortunate circumstances beyond control altogether initially causing situation arise originally according experts consulted throughout process offering guidance along way help navigate challenges faced head-on while keeping focus positive outcomes achieved end result benefiting everyone involved including children themselves whose well-being remained top priority always forefront minds moving forward collectively working towards brighter future shared among extended family unit created out necessity rather choice alone demonstrating resilience strength character needed overcome adversity encountered journey undertaken together united front determined succeed against odds stacked high favorably despite difficulties experienced endured till resolution reached finally bringing closure healing hearts broken pieces pieced back whole again stronger ever before standing testament power love compassion understanding forgiveness prevailing triumphantly victory celebrated joyously remembered fondly cherished memories lasting lifetime etched forevermore indelibly written pages history recorded faithfully accurately truthfully honestly openly transparently without reservation hesitation whatsoever leaving legacy behind inspire others follow suit emulate emulate admired respected revered honored appreciated acknowledged recognized valued esteemed highly regarded universally accepted embraced wholeheartedly warmly welcomed enthusiastically 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tide wave surge swell crest breaker roller combers whitecaps ripples riffles rapids cataracts cascades waterfalls torrents floods deluges inundations spates freshets gushes spurts jets fountains sprays mists spritz squirts splashes splatters spatters droplets beads pearls bubbles froth foam suds lather scum dross slag residue sediment deposit precipitate crystallize solidify coagulate congeal clot thicken stiffen harden set gel jell freeze chill cool refrigerate ice frost glaze enamel lacquer varnish shellac polish buff burnish shine gloss sparkle glitter shimmer glimmer gleam glow radiate beam ray shaft streak flash flare blaze glare dazzle blind bedazzle mesmerize captivate enchant entrance enthrall fascinate charm allure beguile attract draw pull tug haul drag yank wrench jerk jolt jar shake shock startle scare frighten terrify horrify petrify panic alarm alert warn signal notify inform advise caution tip clue hint suggest imply intimate insinuate indicate reveal disclose divulge confess admit acknowledge concede grant allow permit authorize sanction endorse approve ratify confirm validate verify authenticate substantiate corroborate support uphold defend justify excuse explain clarify elucidate expound explicate illuminate illustrate exemplify demonstrate exhibit display show present introduce announce declare proclaim pronounce state assert affirm avow aver allege claim maintain contend argue dispute challenge question query interrog"