One of the best things about the technological advances of cellphones in recent years is that we all now have the means to capture more moments with our families and friends. The dad in this video whipped out his cellphone to snap a selfie of himself with all the women in his life as they prepared to head off on vacation for spring break. As the father took the photo, someone popped up behind the family that had them screaming!

The Richter family had just piled into their minivan to head off on a much-needed vacation when they decided to take this selfie. When the father took out his phone to take the selfie, he put it on video mode rather than photo mode. He did this because he knew something that his wife and daughters did not…

Looking at their reflections in the camera, the women noticed a hooded figure lurking behind them. The women all started to scream, but not in panic. Instead, they were screaming with joy, because the hooded figure was their son and brother!

Rowan is an active duty Marine who decided to surprise his family when he returned home from combat. He had put his life on the line as a lance corporal in the armed forces, and this meant that he had to sacrifice a lot of time with his family. His mother was heartbroken when Rowan told her that he would have to miss the family’s 2018 spring break trip, but she had no idea that he actually had a trick up his sleeve.

Rowan’s mother was completely overwhelmed when she saw that her “little” boy had made it back home from armed combat. She had worried about him every day while he was gone, but now he is back and ready to go on vacation with those he loves!

Check out the family’s reactions in the video below, and SHARE this story so your friends and family can see this as well!