Family Fun
Family takes selfie in car unaware Marine brother is in back
They had no clue their family photo would turn into a moment they'd never forget.
Patricia Lynn
11.01.21

Not everyone is crazy about surprises, but they sure can lead to great memories. Whether it be a birthday party or an engagement proposal – they tend to leave people with huge smiles on their faces.

Someone returning home unexpectedly is one of the best types of surprises.

Pixabay - Artturi Mäntysaari
Source:
Pixabay - Artturi Mäntysaari

Especially when they’ve been away in the military.

People surprising you by returning home is one thing, but add in the extra danger of serving in the military, and that makes for an even more emotional reunion. It’s not unusual to find a video online of someone who’s been serving coming home to surprise their loved ones for this very reason.

Unsplash - Bermix Studio
Source:
Unsplash - Bermix Studio

And it never gets old.

The family in the video below has quite the surprise waiting for them, and it’s closer than they think. To the right, you can see dad Erik, who has orchestrated the big reveal. Everyone else, on the other hand, is none the wiser.

Once the whole family is packed into the car and ready for a road-trip, Erik calls everyone to smile for a selfie. But there’s one person missing…

YouTube Screenshot - Erik R
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YouTube Screenshot - Erik R

There he is!

Poking his head up, without anyone noticing, is Lance Corporal Rowan, who has been away in the military for several months. As everyone laughs and smiles, Erik says “Ah, wait Rowan, a little to the right…”. Meanwhile Rowan’s mom, Amber on the far left hears this and reacts “ROWAN?”

YouTube Screenshot - Erik R
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YouTube Screenshot - Erik R

When they turn to see him, they all lose their minds.

They all begin screaming and become hysterical that Rowan’s actually there in person. It’s clear that nobody suspected a thing, and it definitely takes a minute for them to even register what is happening. Rowan’s sisters in the back seats cannot handle their excitement.

YouTube Screenshot - Erik R
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Erik R

Amber isn’t even able to look at him she’s so excited.

Absolutely overcome with excitement, she screams hysterically in the front seat. I bet the last thing she ever expected to see was a hooded man popping his head up in the back of the car, much less her son whom she didn’t even know was back!

YouTube Screenshot - Erik R
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Erik R

Rowan clambers over the seats to greet everyone.

Rowan and his great big smile waste no time in climbing over to give everyone a big hug. It’s smiles all around when the screaming dies down as they all come to terms with the fact that Rowan has seemingly appeared out of thin air behind them. But Rowan isn’t done yet…he still has to get up to the front to greet his mom.

YouTube Screenshot - Erik R
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Erik R

Eventually, and with difficulty, he makes it.

Finally, Rowan makes it up to the front seat, and he can finally get his hug from Amber. It’s obvious that there’s a lot of love in this family and it certainly is touching the hearts of the video’s viewers.

One person wrote:

“Awesome!! As a mom of a Navy Sailor, it is wonderful to see the homecomings!! It brought tears to my eyes!!”
Another commented:
“This is the best homecoming videos I’ve seen. LOVE IT. :D”
YouTube Screenshot - Erik R
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Erik R

It’s no wonder why this homecoming surprise has over 5 million views! You can enjoy it for yourself in the video below.

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