An Alabama man has met his long-lost daughter and family members including grandchildren after over 60 years thanks to DNA testing according to WHNT 19.

Thomas Williams, 81, celebrated July 4th in Decatur, Alabama, with his 62-year-old daughter Tylin Rosser for the first time. The Marine Corps veteran told the news station that he always knew he fathered a child from a past relationship while deployed in the Philippines. Williams says he didn’t know whether it was a boy or girl because the picture he saw the child so small, but he knew the child was his.

Rosser said she didn’t know the man figure she grew up with wasn’t her biological father until after his death. Rosser said it was a secret her mother kept from her until she was close to passing away. “She had dementia, and she was in several stages then, but when I asked her was he my biological father, all she could remember was just ‘William,’” she explained.

Rosser’s daughter bought her a DNA kit from Ancestry.com, she says six weeks later she received a notice claiming that someone named “Caral Minor Williams was a cousin or close relative. I said that must be the ‘William’ my mom was always saying.” DNA test showed Carla and Williams’ other American-born children were confirmed to be Rosser’s relatives.

Not long after, Williams’ kids arranged for the pair to meet in person after initially meeting virtually. It was an emotional moment for Williams, who told his daughter. “God answers prayers. I think about you all the time. I always did.” She replied, “I’m here.”

The two spent time sharing stories about his time while stationed in the Philippines. “I got that when I was in Subic Bay,” the father said, pointing to his arm tattoo. He also explained the heartbreaking reason why he never returned to the Philippines. “My mother got terminally ill,” he said. “That’s the only reason I didn’t come back there, but then after that, I didn’t know how to find you.”

Meet Wyoming’s New Black Sheriff Aaron Appelhans, the 1st in State History

California Father Outraged His Daughter Is Being Taught About Black Lives Matter