Military families may get used to deployments, but it’s never easy
Military families will tell you that the hardest part is when the military parent is deployed. It’s hard to get used to, especially if your relationship is particularly warm with mom or dad.
So imagine how hard it was for this child, whose parents are close but separated. Young Jacen Smith takes turns living with his parents whenever one or the other is deployed.
They make it work, thanks to both parents keeping a warm and positive relationship, but that doesn’t mean Jacen is always happy.
During one birthday, Jacen was asked an important question.
Jacen’s father asked him one day:
“If you could have one thing for your birthday, what would it be?”
Jacen’s answer speaks very well about the boy’s maturity and respect for his parents. Because he looked his father in the eye and said:
“Dad, don’t get offended but it’s mom. I want mom.”
Now, arranging special visits isn’t always possible.
Jacen’s mom, Air Force Master Sgt. Andrea Smith, was stationed in South Korea – meaning it wouldn’t be easy either. But she and Jacen’s father had a plan.
It was an ordinary school day and Jacen’s 13th birthday when their big surprise took place.
Andrea reflects on how she felt when she pulled up to the school. She admits that she was already in tears, because she knew how important it would be.
Well, when she arrived, the word reached Jacen’s dad. It was clear that he had already celebrated Jacen’s birthday with the rest of the class. But then he looks to Jacen and says:
“We’ve got one more surprise”
That’s when Andrea enters the room and Jacen does something sweet…
As soon as his mother enters the classroom, Jacen is already flying out of his seat. He rushes across the classroom and gives his mother a tight and warm hug.
It’s an incredibly sweet moment, with both mother and son on the verge of happy tears. Andrea even teases that “You aren’t going to let go, are you?” and as it turns out, Jacen won’t.
But it wasn’t easy keeping this surprise a secret.
What makes this surprise gift especially heartwarming is realizing how much effort went into it. When Jacen confessed that he wanted to see his mom for his birthday, his dad tried his best to deflect.
He told his son that it wasn’t really possible. He tried to console his son by reminding that they were together not too long ago, but Jacen was insistent.
Jacen reminded his father how he gave him a surprise visit and supposed that his mother could do the same. Jacen’s father reflected on that conversation, wondering if Jacen had been listening in on his conversations to spoil the surprise.
But what really matters, is that one young boy received a gift he’d never forget.
Press play on the video below to see the amazing birthday surprise for yourself!
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