Air Force Airman Surprises Mother in the Middle of Cracker Barrel for Emotional Reunion

Christian Finenely Airman Surprises Mom Cracker Barrel US Air Force

By Joel Brussels , Parent Herald Aug 26, 08:59 pm

Photo: (Photo : JOAQUIN SARMIENTO/AFP via Getty Images)

Christian Finenely does not hate being called a momma's boy at all. He takes pride when people describe him as such. The United States Air Force E2 Airman has had two constants in his young life: his love for airplanes and his love for his mother, Michelle.

Finenely told USA Today that he just wants to fly jets. He said he plans on commissioning in four years before going to flight school and flying F-35s.

The road to becoming a military pilot is not easy. For that to happen, Finenely must pay his dues first. He already started doing so with some basic training. He said they put you through a lot and tried to break you down.

Mom says she is her son's biggest cheerleader

Being away from his mom made the training even more difficult for Finenely. According to him, the homesickness was just as rough as the training he received from the Air Force.

He was not the only one who suffered, as the separation was equally rough for his mother. However, she understood that the heartache was justified and fully supported her son's grand ambition.

Michelle said her son was built up for it, and he wanted to fly those jets more and more. Knowing that was her son's dream, the proud mom decided to be her child's biggest cheerleader. She admitted that she misses him a lot when he is gone, but that is fine with her as she knows he is living out his dream.

While he was away in Texas, Christian and his mother kept in touch the old-school way. The mother and son decided to become pen pals. Michelle wrote a letter to her son daily, and Finenely responded to his mom when his schedule allowed.

Finenely surprises mom at Cracker Barrel

Writing letters to each other eased the pain of loneliness somewhat, but it was still nothing compared to meeting face-to-face. So, when Finenely finally got the chance to take leave from his training and return to his hometown of Atlanta, he decided to do something special for his reunion with his mother.

Together with one of the friends of his mother, he hatched a plot to spring a surprise at a local restaurant during breakfast. Little did he know that his mom had a surprise up her sleeve as well for their reunion.

Michelle was in tears as her son surprised her in the middle of Cracker Barrel while she was having breakfast with her friend. Finenely brought some flowers to give his mom as they shared a warm embrace in this emotional military homecoming.