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Have you ever met someone with a spirit, smile and faith so infectious you want to immediately introduce them to everyone you know? They are those special souls who radiate optimism and good news.

Meet Abigail “Abby” Hanson of Philadelphia. We crossed paths last week when I addressed a singles conference in Frederick, Maryland, and she swirls at the center of one of the most inspiring family history stories you’ll ever hear.

Hanson was born in 1975 in Accra, Ghana, to Emma, an unmarried teenage mom. Her maternal grandmother hadn’t been supportive and Emma was sent packing during the pregnancy. Then, at age 4, the same grandmother ordered Hanson’s biological father, Jarie, to take the child away and raise her elsewhere.

With the help of some extended family on her father’s side, including his twin sisters, they gave Hanson the best life they could given their difficult circumstances. Despite the constant challenges, Hanson and her father beat the odds more than once. Then, in 1986, they joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In February of 2001, after years of American dreams, Hanson came to United States and brought with her a sense that big things were coming.

In 2012, Hanson began feeling drawn to family history work. Members of her faith are encouraged to do genealogy and to know the stories of their ancestors. Soon she obtained a copy of the free booklet, “My Family: Stories That Bring Us Together” and added that information to her account at familysearch.org. (This free service is available to everyone.)

Despite the joy she felt in connecting the branches in her family tree, something was missing. In the proper place, she’d pasted a picture of her handsome father, but the spot for her mother remained blank. Worse, the square for her mother’s photo wasn’t the only thing empty, so was a little corner of Hanson’s huge heart.

Finally, in August 2012, using Facebook as her primary tool, Hanson courageously reconnected with her mother. At last she had a photo; it was the first time in 34 years she’d seen what her lovely mother had become.

After much prayer, she made one of the most important phone calls of her life.

“I first felt hesitant,” Hanson told me. “I grew up thinking she didn’t want me and I knew nothing about her except for her full legal name and date of birth. But then she called me ‘Baby-girl’ … She still does.” Her mother also took time to explain the meaning and origin of Abby’s given name: Abigail.

Her mother put any anxiety to rest. “I was blown away by her warm reception on hearing my voice after I revealed who I was. I had so many questions for her. She answered each one and more. I began to cry and felt such great joy. She never stopped thinking about me after all. My love grew for her immediately. It’s like I found myself and came full circle. The joy I felt is indescribable.”

Over the next year, filled with the spirit of family history work, Hanson gathered as much information as she could about her ancestors. In June of 2013, her grandmother, the same woman who’d separated her parents, passed away. Not knowing much about her, but still feeling sadness at her passing, Hanson called her mother.

Hanson learned that her grandfather had died many years earlier, leaving her grandmother with seven children at just 40 years old. “Their story of love and struggle really touched me,” she said. “I felt a special closeness and connection of love for my mom and her parents.”

At the same time Hanson was busy learning about those who’d passed away, she was doing a little matchmaking among the living, too. Hanson made sure that her father was invited to her grandmother’s funeral. There, Hanson’s parents met again after 35 years apart and feelings began to spark and sparkle once again.

Back home, Hanson’s heart turned toward back to her grandparents. “I could think of nothing but to bind them again together on the other side. I waited a year to complete all their work in the Manhattan New York Temple on Aug. 30, 2014. I prayed they will help us have more unity on this side. Amazing impressions happened that day. As soon as their work was done, I prayed and prayed that my mom will become a member of the church since her parents were now sealed.”

Her fervent prayers were answered.

“When my parents began talking in January 2015, my dad invited her to check out the church. My mom loved visiting and soon she received the missionary lessons. One month after I was reunited with my mother, she was baptized on April 11, 2015.”

Then, somehow, it got even better.

One week later, with their beaming daughter as a bridesmaid, her parents were finally married. The family plans to be sealed for all eternity in the temple in the spring of 2016.

To most, the story is an unbelievable series of fortunate events. But to Hanson, it’s long been in the Lord’s hands. Since reuniting with her mother, and bringing her parents to the altar, she’s read a portion of her father’s patriarchal blessing. In it, he was told his life’s mission is to bring his family together again.

As for her mother? She has a personal dream journal with one extra special entry. In a dream she will never forget, she saw Hanson’s father putting a ring on her finger years before the dream became reality.

Before wrapping our discussions, which continued by email and Facebook after parting ways, I asked what she thought was the most important lesson she learned through her family history miracle. “I have no doubt that my grandparents also helped our family on this side. Only in the church can my story be possible. Family history and the church has indeed brought us together as one.”

Hanson adds that she’s not done yet. She looks forward to connecting her great grandparents and many more. “I want people to know about the wonderful blessings that come with doing our family history. Connecting and freeing our ancestors is such a blessing. It’s like we find ourselves as we find them.”

Maybe in Abby Hanson’s case, with her spirit, smile and faith, she did even more than that. She found a miracle.

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