When Chelsea Raineri arrived at a gymnastics meet, she had no clue she’d receive the surprise of a lifetime. Not to mention, that it would turn into an event she’d never forget!
The teen was under the impression she was there to just perform gymnastics. She must be really good too. Chelsea is a senior in the video and stands proudly with her team on the floor. They’re 17 girls all ready to have some fun.
But George has an issue… The mascot refuses to leave the floor. Maybe the mascot is mesmerized by all the beautiful ladies in front of him.
George won’t budge.
Even the man behind the microphone got exasperated,
“George. George. We’re trying to have a gymnastics meet here.”
Well, George gestures to the public announcer, and the voice on the loudspeakers took pity on the mascot.
“Ladies and gentlemen, George is having a very rough week because earlier this week, it was Valentine’s Day and he never found a date.”
George buries his face in his hands at the announcement. He’s embarrassed.
The announcer does George a favor.
He asks the crowd if they would allow George to pick a date among the gymnasts. The crowd cheers in approval. And all the boys in the gym were suddenly jealous.
George already knew who he was picking. He walks over to Chelsea, head down and all. He’s shy!
Chelsea allows George to walk her to the center of the floor. There, the mascot pulls out a dozen roses and chocolate from his basket, presenting them to Chelsea for the world to see. What a sweet guy!
But George has saved the best for last. He tells Chelsea to wait as he runs off to the side of the stands. It looks like he’s calling for someone to come out from behind the curtains.
A man in a military uniform comes out holding a giant stuffed animal to the crowd’s collective “Awww!”
The moment Chelsea sees the man, she bursts into tears. Tears of joy. She just laid eyes on her brother, Sergeant Collin Raineri, of the Army Reserves 160th Signal Brigade. He’s back from Kuwait!
Sergeant Collin flew back home just to see his little sister compete one more time.
He was gone for a year!
You’re not the only one who thought that it was Collin under that George Washington mascot. It did seem that way! But this was one beautiful surprise, and a very motivating one at that.
A man named John commented,
“Chelsea I can see is very close to her brother. I know it’s very hard on her with him being gone so long. Thank you for your service.”
Imagine having to leave your loved ones back home so you could fly to a foreign land and defend your country. That’s the kind of sacrifice men like Collin make. Love for family and love for country.
A soldier’s loved ones will always miss him.
There’s also that nagging fear of something unfortunate happening to him. So we can understand why Chelsea here cried her eyes out when Collin came to surprise her. Look at that hug!
It’s a military surprise that’s so sweet, it currently has over 34 million views.
There’s no way Chelsea or her brother will forget that day, and we’re so happy that the special moment was shared with the world.
Press play on the video below to see the epic surprise for yourself!
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