What started as a playful prank turned into an unforgettable family moment when Anthony Ryan, a young airman returning from military service, brought his grandmother to tears with a surprise homecoming.
After spending two years away, 22-year-old Anthony returned to San Diego in December 2020 while on leave from the Air Force. Knowing his grandfather loved watching military reunion videos, Anthony and his family decided to stage one of their own — with a twist.
They disguised him as an Amazon delivery driver.
Wearing a polo shirt, shorts, a face mask, and carrying a clipboard and package, Anthony knocked on his grandparents’ door posing as a deliveryman. The family hadn’t planned out the details beyond the disguise, but Anthony’s quick thinking — and his grandmother’s trusting nature — took the prank to a level they never expected.
“She totally fell for it,” said Anthony’s sister, Annalise Ryan, 23, speaking exclusively to PEOPLE. “But none of us imagined it would go that far.”
Instead of a quick exchange, Anthony’s grandmother, Song Ryan, welcomed the “delivery driver” inside, offered him food, and even handed him a container of homemade chicken noodle soup. When he asked if he could eat it there, she warmly pulled out a chair at the dining table.
“She’s just that kind of person — kind-hearted, open, and full of love,” Annalise said. “She never suspected a thing.”
The emotional peak came when Anthony finally removed his mask. The moment his grandparents realized who was standing before them, Song collapsed to the floor, overwhelmed with joy and disbelief.
“The tears were real. Nothing about that moment was staged,” Annalise said. “Even if it hadn’t been Anthony, she’d have reacted that way for any of us. That’s the kind of heart she has.”
Now 27, Anthony is known for being more reserved, but he was just as happy to be home. His quiet reaction contrasted with the outpouring of emotion from his grandmother — the beloved matriarch of the Ryan family, who, at 81, continues to be the glue that holds her children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild together.
“My grandma is the soul of our family,” Annalise said. “Her warmth, trust, and love are what makes our home so special. She’s one of a kind, and we’re so lucky to have her.”
