When a person’s in the military, it can be difficult for the entire family. A mom or dad might miss important events like birthday parties, school plays, or memorable vacations. On top of that, not having the person there for the little moments can be heartbreaking as well.
Yet, there are numerous military families that live this type of lifestyle, all to help benefit our country.
Most recently, scientists have been examining military families and are starting to notice a few trends. “Service members marry younger and start families earlier,” one 2013 study reports. “They move much more frequently than civilians do, and they are often separated from their families for months at a time.” As you can imagine, living this way can be particularly stressful.
Bethany Bronson knows exactly what this kind of lifestyle is like, as her husband, Captain Hyrum Bronson, had been away for nine months.
Posted by Bethany Holmes Bronson onWednesday, June 6, 2018
While her husband traveled between Afghanistan and the United States for training, Bethany had been staying with their children at the US military base on Okinawa Island in southern Japan. Here, she found herself taking on many roles, as most military spouses do.
“Parents left stateside develop their own ways of operating as they are forced to take on responsibilities that were previously shared,” explained Ellen Weber Libby Ph.D.
Although some spouses may take on the duties enthusiastically, others may hold resentments about the added workload.
Luckily for Hyrum, Bethany was a trooper and was doing all she could to hold things down at the fort.
Posted by Bethany Holmes Bronson onSunday, April 15, 2018
Even though life had been going well for Bethany and the children, she missed her husband greatly. If she could wait three whole weeks though, he’d soon be in her arms. Hyrum had planned a visit and his family could not wait. But little did they know, he had a surprise in store…
One day, Bethany brought her children to the beach where they all played in the water. That’s when a family friend took out his camera to make a heartwarming video.
He tells the kids he wants to send a video to their father in Afghanistan and asks what they’d like to tell him.
“I’d tell him that I love him and I miss him and that I will love him for always,” the daughter responds. Then he turns the camera to Bethany; “Love you, miss you!” she says with a smile. The man distracts Bethany for a few moments…
Then out of nowhere, a “mystery man” wearing a scuba suit swims up behind the mom.
“Who is that?” Bethany asks her younger daughter, not realizing it’s her husband in the flesh. When Hyrum removes the scuba mask though, his wife is in total shock. “Are you kidding me?” the woman shouts.
“Mrs. Bronson,” Hyrum tells her, “Your husband’s here reporting for duty.”
The children are ecstatic to see their Daddy, but he tells his wife Bethany that she gets the first hug.
The husband and wife share a long, loving hug while their kids hang onto them from the sides.
Since being uploaded to YouTube, Hyrum’s homecoming surprise has been viewed over 21 MILLION times!
“After being in Afghanistan for 6 months and 3 months of training in the States before that with only a short month home in between, he is finally home!” Bethany wrote in the video’s description.
She continued:
“We thought he was coming home 3 weeks from now, but he is sneak. We can’t believe he is finally back home with us!”
No soldier ever wants to be separated from their family. But you gotta admit though – it’s gotta make going home the absolute best feeling in the world.
Watch the video below to see this incredible surprise reunion for yourself!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
