No matter how many times we see it on the internet, we just LOVE seeing military parents or significant others return home unexpectedly to surprise their loved ones. There is something visceral about seeing the emotion that families and loved ones exhibit when they first see the returned soldiers. Everyone loves a happy ending. In this video, we get a chance to see the love between a son and his dad who has been serving the country overseas.

Josh Caroll was sitting in a typical school assembly when he had one of the best days of his life.

As an eighth-grader, Josh had probably sat through dozens of these school assemblies. This one, however, was going to turn out special. This special day had been planned in advance by Josh’s mom and the school staff. With many boys wanting regular gifts like video games and toys, this kid just wanted to see his dad.

Paul, Josh’s dad, is a Lieutenant who had been in service for six months overseas.

After not seeing your family for almost a half year, you can imagine that Paul was just as excited as Josh was about to be! After the school sat down for the ritual assembly, Josh and his mom were called up to be honored for being a military family. It was Veterans Day and the school wanted to honor the family for their combined service. LEAD Academy in Greeneville was about to get a whole lot more emotional!

As the mother-son duo stood up at the front, Josh had no idea what was about to happen.

Waiting outside the cafeteria doors was Josh’s dad. Josh didn’t suspect a thing as he thought his dad wasn’t due home for another three weeks! As the moment is about to occur, Josh is smiling and standing in front of his school. The staff leader who is standing at the mic looks around and begins his speech (which we all know he won’t get through).

“Please make welcome, back home, First Lieutenant…”

and that’s all that could be heard before Josh noticed his dad walk in the doors!

Josh realizes what is happening and you can see his entire face change!

Upon realizing what is going down, Josh starts looking around the room. Seeing his dad (still off-camera), Josh immediately begins to show the emotion on his face. With the entire room cheering and standing to their feet, Josh takes off running towards his dad, uncaring of anyone else around him.

Jumping into his dad’s arms, Josh had tears streaming down his face before he ever left the ground.

Continuing with the incredibly heartwarming moment, the two embrace as Josh cries into his shoulder. This kid loves his dad!

We can’t hear a lot of the conversation, but we CAN hear one thing.

With the lapel mic that Paul has on his shirt, we can hear the voice of Josh faintly come through:

“I love you”

And his dad’s response:

“I love you too”

Check out the video below!

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Source: Spotlight Stories, WYFF