We have something really special for you today, it’s a video of a soldier surprising his father at work.
His dad has no idea he is back from deployment.
The young man is clearly a little nervous but super excited while he knocks on the door to his father’s I.T. department.
The supervisor answers the door and gives him a big grin.
They must have planned ahead!
The supervisor lets him into the room quietly and points him towards the back, indicating where the soldier’s dad is.
Videos of soldiers surprising their family members by returning are not entirely uncommon (although they certainly do warm the heart without fail!) but it’s not often you see a son surprising his father!
You’ll often get videos of fathers surprising their children, their significant others or (my personal favorites) their dogs!
But there’s something about this reversal of roles that is really sweet! There’s something to be said for
the depth and strength of the father-son bond.
The reason this is becoming so rare is because there is a growing generational gap in serving military members!
A study done by the Pew Research Centre has found that:
“While most Americans today have family members who once served or are currently serving in the armed forces, there is a large generation gap on this measure. […] more than three-quarters (77%) of adults ages 50 and older said they had an immediate family member –a spouse, parent, sibling or child – who had served in the military.
“For many of these adults, their military family members are likely to have served prior to the phasing out of the military draft in 1973. […] adults under the age of 50 are much less likely to have family members who served in the military. Some 57% of those ages 30-49 say they have an immediate family member who served. And among those ages 18-29, the share is only one-third”
On top of that, only about 0.5% of the US population has served in the military in the last 10 years, the lowest percentage since the peace-era between the world wars!
So of course there are even fewer young sons joining the military like this one. No doubt his age added to his father’s reaction when he returned.
His father was ecstatic to see him back in the United States safe and sound!
I’ve never seen a hug so fast in my life!
His dad is so excited he nearly lets out a little expletive!
“How are you here?” he asks his son, to which his son has the perfect reply.
“Magic.”
The two get to share an embrace for a while longer, and the father is clearly overjoyed and overwhelmed with emotions.
I love seeing the son’s big grin while he gets to hug his dad after who knows how long!
The video has been viewed over 1.2 million times, and we understand why – it’s an absolute pleasure to watch!
It really tugs on your heartstrings and gives you the feel-goods!
You can give it a watch for yourself at the link below, and we highly recommend you do! It will definitely give your day a good ( and no doubt much needed) emotional boost!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
