A mom was left screaming and dancing in shock when her Marine daughter returned home to surprise her after 18 months.
Lance Corporal Somer Horn had just returned from deployment in Okinawa, Japan, but before that she was separated from her family for a variety of reasons, from training through injury and then the coronavirus.
Somer, 20, from Sallisaw, Oklahoma, first attended training in Parris Island, South Carolina.
Ten weeks into a 13-week program, though, Somer injured her pelvis, requiring her to go through six weeks of recovery.
In normal circumstances, her family said, Somer would have been able to return home – but because of the pandemic, she was required to stay in one place before eventually completing Marine Combat Training and MOS School.
After doing so, Somer was sent to Japan, which meant she would miss birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and many other family occasions.
RELATED: Toddler Bursts Into Tears of Joy as She’s Reunited With Military Dad After 8 Months Apart
Somer’s father, Calvin, was hospitalized with severe pneumonia, and not knowing what would happen, Somer requested leave, which was granted.
She left Okinawa to fly to Tokyo and then on to Atlanta, Georgia – all without telling her parents.
The following morning, family members were gathered in the kitchen for their usual Sunday morning coffees.
Somer’s mom, Tammy Horn, 50, was standing in the middle of the room, where she first hugged her niece, Breana.
Little did show know, however, that in would walk Somer, who had planned the surprise with her sister, Delayna.
As soon as Tammy saw her daughter, she shouted “OH MY GOD!” and began to scream and shake in shock.
The crying mother then embraced her daughter, with her screams catching the attention of Calvin, who entered for the other room.
Tammy said: “We had no idea this was going to happen – it was a total surprise!
“I was thinking, ‘This is going to be a great Sunday morning with so much company’.
“Little did I know how much company I had coming through the back door.
“Then, I see some movement out of the corner of my eye.
“I turned around and saw Somer and, at that moment, I was in denial that she was there.
“My brain finally caught up and realized she is really here, in my kitchen.
“I start screaming with joy, jumping and dancing.
“He didn’t know what was going on – our daughter Sarah had to tell Calvin who she was.
“Then, he realized, and, well, you know the rest!”
Story via T&T Creative Media
