A 20-year-old marine disguised himself in a pirate costume to surprise his mother on her birthday after he had been away for nine months.
Lance Corporal James Williams, originally from San Diego, had been stationed in North Carolina.
He showed up at Pirate’s Dinner Adventure in Buena Park, California, for his mother’s 39th birthday. The popular spot hosts live shows with a 250,000 ‘indoor lagoon’.
When Tamara Williams was called up on stage to receive a birthday gift, her son was behind her dressed as a pirate and wearing a large floppy hat to hide his face.
A host standing next to her told her to take a box from the pirate kneeling behind her.
‘The pirate behind you will give you your gift,’ the host can be heard saying in a video clip.
The host at the pirate-themed restaurant in California told Tamara Williams that the pirate behind her would give her her birthday gift
While Tamara poses with the present from her son, James Williams takes off his disguise
Tamara is initially too distracted to notice her real present standing next to her
When she sees him she screams: ‘Oh my God’ and gives him a massive bear hug
While James is still wearing the hat, his mom opens a box and sees a picture of her son and a note that reads: ‘I love you Mom. Happy birthday. Love, James.’
Tamara happily displays the gift from her son to the crowd, and at first doesn’t even notice James taking off the hat.
James steps up next to his mother and says: ‘Happy birthday.’
James(center) poses with his mom (right) and another family member in his military uniform
James has been stationed in North Carolina for the past nine months
Tamara yells ‘Oh my God’ and immediately hugs her son while the crowd cheers.
The plot had been orchestrated by James and Tamara’s sister Wendy Compton. Wendy got in touch with the restaurant, who were more than happy to help facilitate the surprise.
Before the show, Williams told KTLA 5: ‘I know she’s going to get emotional. She’s going to cry for sure.’
James will be home for 10 days before returning to North Carolina for duty.
James told KTLA 5 before the surprise that his mom would definitely cry