Military spouses have it rough. To be away for long periods of time, sometimes thousands of miles away, from the love of your life has got to be one of the bravest things anyone has to do. There’s no doubt about that. However, sometimes we forget to show appreciation for the children who have a parent in the military. Growing up with a mother or father who’s stationed elsewhere for several months at a time has got to leave children with a hole in their heart. The same goes for the parent in the military as well. To not be able to see every milestone of their darling child(ren) isn’t easy at the slightest.
One thee-year-old boy named Cooper Waldvogel, however, has two parents that are in the military. It’s rare moments that he’s able to be with both of his parents at the exact same time. While he’s still a toddler, he still clearly knows and loves both his mother and father. So, when his Army mom, Kathryn, arrived home from Afghanistan after nine long months, Cooper was thrilled to finally see her during her military homecoming procession. In fact, he was so thrilled that he spotted his mother from several feet away while she was lined up with dozens of other National Guards in the same uniform!
Rather than waiting until the ceremony was completed as he was supposed to, Cooper decided to dart from across the way, straight into his mother’s arms. Fortunately for Cooper, his mother broke formation to lean down and pick up her little one with the biggest grin on her face.
According to the mom during a USA Today interview, “I was longing to hold him, that’s all I thought about. It just melts my heart.” We feel ya, momma!
Best of all, it was all caught on film. You can hear cheering in the background as people from the audience get to witness the beautiful act between the military mom and her adorable toddler.
Although everyone can feel the love fill the room, there’s no way anyone can gauge the strength of love being felt between Kathryn and Cooper at the very moment. What some people in the audience may not have known is that for more than a third of Cooper’s life, he hasn’t had both of his parents within his company at the same time. So, seeing his mother at the ceremony and getting to return back home with both parents has got to be one of the most beautiful moments anyone could ever feel!
“THANK YOU MAMA. It takes a special mother to do what you chose to do. Thank you also, to all the rest of you,” one person comments.
Watch the tearjerking footage below!
