After being away for two years, Anthony Ryan came home on leave from the military with a heartfelt plan to surprise his grandparents. The family teamed up to pull off a clever prank by disguising the then-22-year-old as an Amazon delivery driver. Their grandmother’s unexpected interaction with the “stranger” left everyone stunned.
In December 2020, Air Force veteran Anthony Ryan returned home on a surprise leave after two years away from his family. Knowing how much his grandfather loved watching videos of service members reuniting with their loved ones, the family set out to create their own unforgettable reunion.
With the holiday season approaching and daily package deliveries commonplace, they dressed Anthony in a polo shirt, shorts, a medical face mask, and handed him a clipboard and a package, sending him to his grandparents’ doorstep in San Diego.
Beyond that, the family left the rest to Anthony’s quick thinking and humor during his encounter with his grandmother, Song Ryan.
“We knew the disguise would fool her, but we never imagined it would go as far as it did,” Anthony’s sister, Annalise Ryan, 23, told PEOPLE.
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What was meant to be a brief joke quickly took an unexpected turn when their grandma invited the “delivery man” to use her bathroom. She even offered him food, handing over a Tupperware of chicken noodle soup with utensils. When Anthony asked if he could eat it there, she didn’t hesitate, pulling out a chair at the dining table.
“My grandma is so trusting and kindhearted that she’s easy to fool,” Annalise explained. “She believes in the goodness of people and would never expect anyone to play such an elaborate prank on her.”
It wasn’t until Anthony, now 27, removed his mask that the grandparents recognized him. Overcome with emotion, their grandmother collapsed to the floor in joyful shock.
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“The tears and reaction you see are genuine — no acting involved,” Annalise said. “Even though it was my brother, I’m sure she would have shown the same love for any family member.”
Anthony was equally happy to see everyone, though true to his reserved nature, he kept his emotions quietly heartfelt.
With two children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, the 81-year-old grandmother remains the heart and soul of their family.
“My grandma is the foundation of our family,” Annalise shared. “Her innocence and love for others light the way for all of us. She truly is one of a kind, and we cherish her deeply.”
