Military mom makes an unexpected return and her 11-year-old daughter's reaction said it all
It is always heartwarming for a kid to see their mother walking through the door, be it from a grocery run or simply after work. But when your mother is in the military deployed to a different country for months, the joy hits differently. Air Force Sgt. Candace Wells was posted in Turkey for nine months, away from her family and three kids. She was finally signaled to head home but decided to keep it a secret, hoping to surprise her younger kids, Jayden, 11, and Jaxon, 9. When the time came, Wells took help from her elder daughter, Jenna, and her sister to put together a moment that touched millions of hearts on the internet, as seen in a clip reshared by TODAY (@TODAY).
It was an ordinary morning at Wells’ home in Melbourne, Florida. Jayden and her siblings were hanging out in their aunt’s kitchen as usual and were not prepared for the emotional reunion. The 11-year-old was talking to her elder sister when their mom walked in through the door. Jayden turned her head and saw a sight that made her gasp for air. The girl let out a deafening squeal, “Mom!” as she ran towards her army mother, finally returning home. Jayden jumped to give her a koala hug while the mom embraced her overwhelmed daughter in her arms. A happy family moment unraveled with the youngest child, Jaxon, joining in on the group hug with a big smile. Wells cried happy tears while her little kids clung to her in joy.
It was a moment worth cherishing for the family and even the internet, considering all the ebbs and flows of having a deployed parent. According to the National Institutes of Health, disrupted family relationships are fairly common for deployed women, with greater challenges waiting post-deployment. This is mainly related to emotional regulation while transitioning from war zones to home settings. Combat zones require immediate reactivity, suppression of emotions, and constant sensitivity to danger, while a family environment is a point of intense emotional exchanges. Emotional suppression, as deployed parents are trained to be, can negatively impact children, leading to the risk of psychological problems.
Another report by the National Center for PTSD found that children with deployed parents worry more and often remain consumed by fear due to the unpredictability of their parents’ well-being. To prevent negative emotions and encourage healthy expressions, it is recommended that parents be available for their kids whenever possible. They should pay attention to their children’s behaviors and help them deal by encouraging positive solutions. It is worth noting that the children of military personnel face a great deal of challenges that are different from an ordinary family, hence making them mentally stronger than most other kids. However, such children also require intense care and attention to ensure their good health. Parents can do that by taking the time to discuss and share their concerns while also allowing the opportunity for the kids to do the same.