This is the moment a mother screamed in shock when her US serviceman son – who she had not seen for more than three years – surprised her on her wedding day in Guyana.
Heartwarming footage shows Raphael Holder, 23, shouting out ‘I do’ as the minister asks ‘Who here gives this woman’s hand in marriage?’ as his mother Colice Paris sits in front of the altar with her husband-to-be Rolf Baird, 46.
His mother, 45, screams in shock, her mouth wide open as Raphael strides forward after travelling more than 3,000 miles from his base in Fort Drum, New York.
It was the first time Colice had seen her son since his passing out ceremony at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, more than three years earlier – in November 2017.
Since then, Raphael has been based in the United States which meant being separated from his mother, who lives in their native Guyana.
The footage, filmed on January 10 and recently shared, shows smiling guests looking on as Colice experiences a range of emotions as she cries tears of joy.
Speaking afterwards, she said there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
She said: ‘Upon looking over my shoulder, in the direction from where the response came, I saw Raphael walking towards the altar.
‘Everyone that was present at the time and all who viewed the videos and photos have all relayed that they were moved to tears.’
Colice Parris, who lives in Guyana, lets out a howl of shock as her soldier son, based in Fort Drum, New York appears unannounced on her wedding day
Raphael Holder, 23, hugs his mother as she sits at the altar next to her now-husband, Rolf Baird, 46
Raphael (pictured) beams with joy at the weddings guests, having arrived from the US to surprise his mother, who he hadn’t seen in over three years
Raphael’s passing out ceremony, at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, in November 2017 was the last time Colice had seen her son
But ahead of her wedding, Raphael wanted to do something special for his mother, and so he was granted time to head to Guyana.
To help keep the surprise from Colice, Raphael also spoke to her the night before the big day, pretending he was devastated he could still not see his mother.
‘I was in utter shock and speechless because I had spoken to him the night before – I really wasn’t expecting to see him.
‘Always have an open mind – I was closed because I truly didn’t expect to see my son on my special day, but the video and pictures proved otherwise.’
Son Raphael holds his mother’s hand, as she sits next to groom Rolf Baird (pictured)
Moments after the officiating minister asked, ‘Who here gives this woman’s hand in marriage?’ Raphael swooped onto the scene, shocking his mother
Colice hadn’t seen her son in three years, with his military career taking him to Fort Drum, New York, while she lives over 3,000 miles away in her native Guyana, South America
Watch the video below to see this mom’s reaction to her military son’s sweet surprise.
Soucre: dailymail.co.uk
