Military Son Sneaks Home To Surprise Mom Who Lost Dad, Husband and Home All in 2 Years

By Sarah Carri December 24, 2018 at 6:00am

“When you lose people you love, you realize how important the people you do love are.” True words spoken by someone who has been through so much.

Teresa Melton-Strader has faced more tragedy in the past couple of years than some people face in a lifetime.

According to WFAA, 2015 marked the year of her father’s passing. Only months later she lost her husband as well. To top it off, this woman had an E4 tornado destroy her Texas home in 2017.

So much heartbreak and loss for this nurse and mom who has learned to cherish every moment. Especially the ones she shares with her son.

Nineteen-year-old Matthew Melton has been stationed with the U.S. Air Force in Montana, over a thousand miles away from his mom.

Matthew’s birthday is on Christmas Eve, giving this holiday even more meaning. Of course Teresa would want her son close to celebrate, particularly in the wake of all they’ve lost.

“You don’t know when you’re gonna get another Christmas. You don’t know when you’re gonna have those special times,” she told WFAA.

It turns out those special times were right around the corner, though Teresa had no idea who would be home for the holidays.

According to Fox 4, Teresa’s family and co-workers at Baylor Hospital in Dallas helped orchestrate a very Merry Christmas surprise.

What Teresa believed to be an emergency staff meeting turned out to be the surprise of the year for this mom and her son.

Watch as she’s reunited with Matthew just in time to celebrate together. Her reaction may just be the sweetest we’ve seen.

“Are you really here?” she asked him with tears in her eyes. It’s clear there could be no better gift this year than her son in her arms.

“It has been a dark few years…” Teresa shared with Fox 4. “Definitely the blessings have far outweighed the negatives. Him being home for Christmas… that tops the cake.”

We’re so glad these two could enjoy some time together this season. Welcome home and happy birthday, Airman 1st Class Melton!

May your celebrations be blessed and may your time with your sweet mama be as sweet as she is. We wish you both a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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Tags:

Christmas, Dallas, Family, Military, Montana, Texas, Women

Sarah Carri

Contributor, Lifestyle

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Sarah Carri is an avid reader and social media guru with a passion for truth and life. Her writing has previously been published in print and online by Focus on the Family and other well known media outlets. Her experience in ministry and Disney entertainment gives her a unique perspective on such topics.

Sarah's experience as a successful working stay-at-home mom and business owner has given her the chance to write and research often. She stays up to date on the latest in entertainment and offers her views on celebrity stories based on her wide knowledge of the industry. Her success as a former preschool teacher and licensed daycare provider lend to her know-how on topics relating to parenting and childhood education.

Her thoughts on faith and family issues stem from home life and ministry work. Sarah takes time to attend workshops and classes annually that help her to improve and hone her writing craft. She is a graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature program and her writing has been acclaimed by ACFW and ECPA.

Education

Institute of Children's Literature, Art Institute of Phoenix (Advertising), University of California Irvine (Theater), Snow College (Early Childhood Education)

Location

Arizona

Languages Spoken

English

Topics of Expertise

Entertainment, Faith