A doorbell cam captured the emotional moment an airman was nearly knocked to her feet when her best friend sprinted out her door and leaped into her arms during a surprise reunion.
Maya Lomeli, 22, from Ventura, California, and her cousin, Bella Beltran, were born just a month apart, grew up together, and see each other as best friends.
The pair were separated for more than a year while Maya was on duty with the U.S. Air Force in Guam, and it was extremely tough on the pair.
Maya said round trip flights home cost around $1800 and so it took her some time to save and start planning to surprise her family.
All year, Bella pestered Maya about when she might return home, but only Maya’s father knew what she had lined up.
After landing back in the U.S. on September 20, Maya headed to Bella’s home, where she rang the doorbell and patiently waited.
As soon as Bella saw the familiar face outside, she sprinted through the door and leaped into the airman’s arms, causing Maya to take a few steps backwards to steady herself.
Maya also surprised other family members including her mom, Sara; her sisters, Lila and Phoebe; her grandma, Pat; and her grandpa, Bob.
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She said: “Bella told me she had a gut feeling I was coming, but I didn’t tell her anything, so I just rang the doorbell and waited.
“I was nervous because I hadn’t seen her in over a year, but when I saw her, she jumped into my arms, and we laughed and cried together – it felt like home.
“It makes me grateful to have someone in my life that loves me that much and is so excited to see me.
“She is my best friend since birth.”
