A mom battling cancer was left stunned when she was photobombed by her daughter, who had moved home after four years across the country to support her.
Flanked by her daughter,s Carolyn and Angie, mom Surayee, 59, had no idea someone was sneaking down the stairs behind them in her Boston, Massachusetts home, as she posed for a family photo.
Surayee’s third daughter, Nelmarys “Nelly” Rodriguez, 28, had moved to Dallas in 2020, but after hearing about her mom’s diagnosis, wanted to be closer to offer her support.
So, the 28-year-old worked with her siblings to plan an emotional surprise reunion.
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Nelly’s niece, who had just turned 22, decided to plan a lunch at Surayee’s house that Sunday.
With the gathering providing the perfect cover for Nelly’s surprise, Carolyn and Angie asked their mom to pose for a photo, while Nelly snuck down the staircase behind them and into the snap.
At first, Surayee didn’t notice her beaming third daughter in the background of the photo, so the family decided to take another.
Then, when Surayee looked at that second image and everything clicked, all she could say to herself in shock was, “You’re lying!”
As she turned around, Surayee was then given an emotional embrace by Nelly, who later shared a sweet video of the moment on social media, where it immediately went viral.
Nelly said: “I knew it had to be done in a specific way to avoid scaring her, so I came across the idea of showing up in a photo the family took together until she realized I was there.
“My mom’s apartment has twin entrances, so while they were all near one, I snuck in through the other door and hid upstairs until it was time for the photo.
“The best way to describe the moment is exciting and full of love.
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“It was definitely an emotional moment for us both, since I am the youngest and lived so far from home.
“I never doubted it, but her reaction definitely reminded me how much she loves me, and I’m so fortunate to have an amazing mother like her.
“I hope that when people see this video, they are reminded of how important it is to show up for your loved ones, and that you can never get time back; always appreciate what you have in life.”
