Matthew Melton, 19, is stationed in Montana. He came home for the holidays and surprised his mother at the Baylor Scott & White hospital in Dallas, the television station reported.
That put a positive end to a difficult year for Teresa Melton-Strader, who lost her father to a stroke in 2015 and then lost her husband the following year to cancer, WFAA reported.
In April 2017, a tornado ripped through her home and destroyed it.
Matthew Strader was Melton-Strader’s source of strength, and she was pleased when he joined the military.
"It's something that he's wanted to do all his life," Melton-Strader told WFAA. "Still, it's a big change having your child leave home and then the next thing you know their parents are the U.S. military."
When her supervisor called a “staff meeting,” Melton-Strader was led to the lobby, where her son surprised her.
“Hi Mom!” he said.
Stunned, Melton-Strader covered her mouth with both hands.
“Are you really here?!” she said, while hugging her son.
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