What made this moment so special was that it happened before Christmas disappeared with the family for the first time. Luckily, that turned out not to be the case, and he wanted to surprise her with the news.
What set the stage for this emotional moment was Austin and his cohorts being denied a vacation when they applied a month before Christmas.
He shared this news with her, and the two were sad, but they also knew that it was still possible, because they couldn’t spend the holidays together, because he was in the army.
However, unbeknownst to her, he then reapplyed for permission, which was approved, much to her relief. Then he and his dad planned this amazing surprise for Teresa.
One evening, I headed to a restaurant for dinner. At that point, Austin timed her. Wow, now is the perfect time, I thought. She was so happy that her son, who was supposedly 7,000 miles from their home in Coleman, Ala. He can share these few moments together.
After they said goodbye and Theresa inwardly sighed, happy to talk to him but also desperately wanting him to be there with her, the waiter at Olive Garden came over to bring her some water. But it wasn’t just a bartender you’ve never met before. It was his son.
Unsurprisingly, she was overwhelmed with emotion, gasping and putting a hand over her mouth when she looked up and saw him. Then she exclaimed, “Oh my God!” She hugged him tightly, tears streaming from her eyes. She later said her heart was pounding and she was so happy he was home.
After this emotional moment, many people in the restaurant came to share their appreciation. He told a well-wisher that he wanted to kiss the floor when he got off the plane.
