In 1997, Canadian couple Ron and Natalie Trecroce wanted to bring a girl into their home. Their search led them to Arad, Romania, where they met and were enamored with the one-year-old girl named Rodica Lavinia Farcas. Rodica had some health issues, which sent Ron and Natalie on a journey to find answers about her past—and that’s when they made a shocking discovery. Many couples dream of starting their own families, but it’s not always an effortless thing to do. Ron and Natalie Trecroce of Canada knew this better than anyone else. Despite some difficulties, they knew they wanted to raise a girl on their own—what may come.

In 1997, the couple—hoping to find the perfect fit for their little family—traveled to Arad, Romania, a city located on the Mures River in the western part of the country. That’s where they first encountered Rodica Lavinia Farcas. She was only one, yet she already had an enigmatic past.

Rodica Lavinia Farcas

Ron and Natalie immediately recognized that Rodica, with her wide infectious smile, would be the perfect addition to their family of two. Regrettably, this wasn’t going to be an uncomplicated adoption. Before they could even get started, the couple received some distressing news… Ron and Natalie immediately recognized that Rodica, with her wide infectious smile, would be the perfect addition to their family of two. Natalie and Ron grasped on to every bit of data they could find on Rodica. But without the ease of internet like today, there wasn’t much to be found. Then, the couple happened upon Rodica’s family tree—and they found that the girl’s biological mother had actually given away more than one girl. Actually, somewhere out there, Rodica actually had an older sibling! And a sister no less! Curiously enough though, this sister had been sent to an entirely different orphanage. From then on, Ron and Natalie knew they had to find the other child too.