QUEEN CREEK, AZ — A military family in Queen Creek, Ariz. reunited after nearly two years apart. The surprise took months to plan but the tear-filled reunion was worth the wait.
U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Drew Hall is currently stationed in Alaska. He last visited his family 18 months ago. The time apart wore heavily on Hall's family but especially his younger sister, Ember Hall. So, the family put their heads together for four months to plan a surprise for the 14-year-old.
Ember is an eighth-grader at Queen Creek Middle School. Just before the end of the school day, Drew surprised her in class. "The most we've done is Face Time so seeing him in person was really shocking", says Ember.
Drew's parents were just as emotional despite being in on the surprise. April Hall, Drew's mother, says she texts her "Drew-bug" every day sharing sweet messages. Now, she has until the end of the month to share those moments in person before Drew returns to service.
"When he landed last night it started kicking in, I only have 20 days with him", says April. "But it's better than 20 and better than two", added dad Brandon Hall.
For now, April says she's just happy to have two of her kids home for dinner. A seemingly simple pleasure, she hasn't had in months.
