A teen helping his mom get something from the trunk of her car let out a scream of delight when he discovered his marine brother he hadn’t seen in almost a year.
Skylar Herron, 21, a corporal with the United States Marine Corps, and brother, Evan, 17, had a close relationship growing up together in Bardstown, Kentucky.
But when Skylar decided to join the Marines in 2023, it soon became clear the separation would be tough on the brothers, with Skylar only returning home twice over the past couple of years: once after boot camp, and then after his father passed away, in November 2024.
And so, when Skylar received the news his leave to head home had been approved, he wanted to plan a surprise for his brother when he returned to Kentucky.
On October 13, Tara told Evan she needed him to get something out of the trunk of the car, so that she wouldn’t forget it, and the teenager happily offered to help.
But as he opened the trunk, Evan was met by his brother, causing him to jump back in shock, shouting “SKYLAR!”, before his sibling jumped out the car to give his younger brother an emotional reunion hug.
Tara said: “I was an absolute mess – crying like a baby.
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“Watching Evan’s reaction just completely overwhelmed me, he’s missed his brother so much and seeing that pure joy and shock on his face was everything.
“For the last six months, Skylar’s been on the other side of the world – 13 and a half hours ahead of us – and even when he’s at his duty station in Hawaii, finding time for a quick call hasn’t been easy.
“To finally see them together again, after all the distance and time apart, was one of the most emotional moments I’ve ever experienced.
“I hope people see the power of family, love, and connection – even across long distances and life’s challenges.
“No matter how far apart we are, the bonds we share with the people we care about never truly fade.
“It’s also a reminder to celebrate the moments we do get together, because those hugs, smiles, and surprises are the things we’ll remember forever.”
