Every single day, a soldier gets to hear those amazing words from his family members and loved ones: "Welcome home!" But no matter how many of these videos we've seen, they never get boring and they always manage to fill our hearts with happiness that they're home safe and sound!
Even though we might not know these brave men and women, whenever they think to capture the reunion on video, we're always so thankful to get the chance to be invited into their lives to watch this very special and touching moment.
So when First Lt. Mario Lopes was on his way back home from Kuwait, he had no idea he was going to see his family so early and so soon! And to think, this young soldier probably wanted to surprise his parents when he got back; there's no way he would have ever expected to see this face on the airplane.
Please check out the rest of this truly touching story below.
An airplane full of American servicemen and women was filled with an excited atmosphere. Everyone couldn't hold back their smiles when they could feel themselves leaving Kuwait in the distance as they joyfully flew home to America.
Everyone couldn't wait to get welcomed home by their friends and family!
But for First Lt. Mario Lopes, it turns out that "welcome home" happened before he was even home! It really shows that "home is where the heart is," because when he saw who was the pilot of the plane he was on, he almost couldn't believe his eyes!
It turns out that Mario's father, Capt. Lopes, has been a proud pilot for United Airlines these past 17 years. The captain saw that his son was coming home on a very specific route, and even though the information was classified, he took a chance and volunteered to pilot the plane that he thought his son could have been on!
The captain snuck onto the plane and waited patiently for his hero son. To help hide his presence, he got one of the flight attendants to give Mario a box of his favorite cookies.
When the moment was right, he walked up to his son and welcomed him home in the most beautiful and surprising way possible.
In his whole career at United Airlines, the captain stated that this was by far his happiest moment.
Make sure to check out the incredible video below, and please SHARE if you hope all the soldiers get a "welcome home" like this one!
