A girl released an out-of-body scream and darted across the room when her mom returned from deployment overseas to surprise her after nine months apart.
Candace Wells, a master sergeant with the United States Air Force from Melbourne, Florida, was deployed in Turkey, with the separation being very tough on her young daughter, Jayden.
And so, when Candace received the news she could head home, she decided to plan a big surprise for Jayden, 11, and her son, Jaxson, who had just celebrated his ninth birthday.
After getting picked up from the airport by her oldest daughter, Jenna, Candace entered her sister’s home, where the kids had been staying.
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Jayden immediately noticed her mom across the room, letting out a huge scream before running into her arms.
A delighted Jaxson then crossed the room, joining in the three-person family hug, nine months in the making.
It marked the end of a tough period in Candace’s life, as while she was on deployment in Turkey, her mom passed away and she was unable to return home to visit her before she passed.
Candace, who served for 21 years with the Air Force but has since retired, shared the video of her emotional reunion to inspire others.
She said: “Jayden and Jaxson were with my brother-in-law, Bryan, running errands, and my sister had me hide in the back bedroom when the kids were coming home.
“I listened and then popped out from around the corner – that’s when Jayden saw me.
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“Jaxson was in a bit of shock; it took him a minute to register what was going on.
“I was just happy to see my kids.
“Being in their space again, I finally felt like a piece of me was back together again.”