Boy unwraps his soldier dad from a giant box in ultimate Christmas surprise

A young boy who desperately wanted his serviceman father home for Christmas got his wish when he opened an early present – a gift-wrapped box with his dad inside.

At the start of a video showing the reunion, someone can be heard telling the boy “that’s a big gift” as he walks towards the present.

While examining the package, family members encourage him and shout “you better open it”.

Tentatively he rips off a section of wrapping paper and someone off camera asks: “What do you think it is?”

He responds: “I don’t know, I don’t even have an idea yet.”

“I think you’re gonna like it,” he is told.

When he pulls off the paper from an open end of the cardboard box his father, fully clad in military uniform, emerges and the pair embrace.

The overwhelmed son tells his dad: “I’ve missed you.”

His aunt, Jadin Hart of Pittsburgh, shared the film on social media and wrote: “My nephew got to unwrap the only Christmas gift he asked for a few days early and his reaction broke my heart.”

It has since been viewed 14 million times, after being put on social media on December 15.

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Many viewers expressed that they were touched by the “tear jerker” moment.

Others explained how they related to the moment, having been separated from family in the past.

“I remember when my dad got back from being deployed and much like this my dad was wrapped in a box and my sisters and I unwrapped the box. There's no way to describe the joy felt in that moment when a loved one comes home again,” wrote one.

Another said: “I do not cry or tear up often, but military members coming home always makes me emotional. Service members and families sacrifice a lot. Always special and emotional reunions.”