‘A Christmas miracle,’ says a woman kidnapped as a child, who has been reunited with her family after 51 years.

It’s a sensation Alta Apantenco will never forget. After 51 years, she finally sews for her daughter, Melissa Highsmith, according to WFAA.

“I keep pinching myself to make sure I’m awake. I’m overjoyed. I can’t put into words how I feel “Alta stated. “I’m just so happy to see my daughter I didn’t ever think I would ever see again.”

Alta said her daughter, Melissa, was taken from her family’s apartment in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 23, 1971.

“The first year was really, really bad because they couldn’t help me,” Apantenco explained.

Melissa was only 21 months old, and Alta was just entering maturity.

“I was only 21 years old at the time. I struggled with depression for a long time “Alta stated.

Alta added that five decades later, after years of despair, 23andMe, a DNA genetic testing technology, matched them. Alta stated that she and her daughter lived less than 20 minutes apart.

What bothers Alta the most is Melissa’s admission that she never felt loved by the woman who reared her.

“It was abusive, and I fled when I was 15 years old. I went out into the streets, “Melissa explained. “I did what I needed to do to survive. What does this imply? I did street work.”

They had given up hope after everything they had gone through, until they were finally reunited.

“I’m on cloud nine. I’m enjoying the sun. It’s nothing short of miraculous “Melissa explained.

Alta agreed, calling it a “A Christmas miracle,”

Melissa stated that she wishes to remarry her present spouse so that her father can lead her down the aisle and her entire family can attend her wedding.