In a year where young kids have become accustomed to spending time with their friends through a computer screen, there is nothing sweeter than giving their BFF a big ol’ bear hug – especially when it’s their first time ever meeting in person!
For 7-year-old Julia McClain, that day just came, and it was even better than she had imagined.
Julia, an Ober Elementary School first-grader in Las Vegas, has spent the past six months getting to know her new bestie, Luna, through video chat.
“I kind of liked her, the way she is,” Julia told KVVU.
Because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the two girls haven’t been able to have playdates like they normally would. But as Julia’s birthday drew near, her mom Lisa began scheming. She planned out a wonderful surprise and set up a fun first meeting for the first-grade duo.
“Luna knew, but Julia did not know,” Lisa said. “We were walking down the pathway here and she saw Luna and was so excited.”
Captured on video, the moment the two girls saw each other, they exploded into giggles and excitement. They ran toward each other and finally got to receive the hug they’d been waiting for!
“I thought it was really exciting and like, oh my gosh! I get to see Luna for the first time!” Julia said later.
The moment was so precious and heartwarming that even Lisa was overwhelmed.
“I was yelling, like, ‘I’m so emotional!’ It was really, really touching,” the mom said. “At school they don’t let them hug, they don’t even let them close to each other, so when they finally saw each other, she was a little apprehensive, and then she looked at me and she’s like, ‘I don’t care, I’m hugging her!'”
Watch the most adorable reunion ever in the video below, and share this story with your best friend.
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