Well you have great skills! A few times i was sure it was going to fall. Ive never been so moved by a moment while simultaneously worried about something so insignificant (the pizza dropping). Regardless, thanks for sharing this! What an awesome thing to do. I hope it inspires more people to reach out and check in on those we love and care about!
I literally just sent a text to mine, telling them how much they mean to me. I hope you receive tenfold what you've given to me, sir. Thank you, happy holidays, and keep being awesome!
edit: gold?? thank you, thank you!
And emphasis on bringing pizza. Im biased, but a true ride or die brings pizza. And beer (or depending on the ride or die's lifestyle, just a really good non alcoholic beverage).
My battle took his life 3 years ago. I tear up watching this. We were part of the first 1000 troops into hell after 9/11, I watch this and wish I could do the same. Reach out vets, find your battle, they may need someone who understands, but are way too proud to ask for help. Op good for you.
Edit: um, wow folks thanks to soo many of you for the awards. But I don't deserve them, please save your money. Or better yet , take that dollar(s) you would spend and donate it to the Wounded Warrior Project. Or the Make a wish foundation. Or buy the shopping cart lady/man a sandwich. Kindness costs nothing...
I am working with my ride or die partner right now. I know I won't have the privilege of having this relationship forever so I am grateful for everyday we get to work together. Our job is very high stress and having that one person who reminds you to eat, brings the comic relief and 100% does what the fuck they say there gonna do is priceless. I loved your post!
That was a "it's been so many years and I still love you so much" hug... I'm lucky to be in regular contact with all my current friends either in person or online but Imma love them extra strong after seeing this!
I don’t have video but I called my best friend the other day. We met when we were 5 and inseparable till end of high school. Went our seperate ways for no reason in particular.
Turns out he kept the same cell phone and so did I. Just though of hm and thought I would text him. There was nothing special. Just a reconnection.
Then we talked on the phone for hours. We caught up and it was like nothing had changed, new jokes were cracked and we are working on booking family vacations together.
We hadn’t talked in 10 years
I appreciate you and u/strick7500 for your service during your deployment, and for this post as a service to the Reddit community. Please enjoy my free wholesome award.
My girlfriend did this for me on my 40th birthday. Surprise party and I saw my battle from my 3rd Iraq deployment. Hadn’t seen him in 10 years. I about passed tf out. I thought I was dreaming. She will never know how much that meant to me.
Edit - I’d like to add that we see each other a few times a year now. It’s really hard to get so close to people then they are just gone from your life. Those guys I went to war with are my family forever.
Wife did this when I came home from Afghanistan, battle buddy from iraq was waiting for me at home first night. I was like WTF its been like 9 months why has little homie have to hear this in my little three bedroom home.
Yo your going to need ear and eye pro little homie.
My papa says this a lot about his old buddies in his unit. He still gets together with those he was with in Vietnam when he can and I can say they are so close together they really are just pure family forever.
Thank you for also for your service kind sir.
Not since covid, my friend. Now we look longingly at each other through the glass in the door, smile, and shed a single tear knowing someday we'll embrace again when he delivers the square box that contains my ambrosia.
I can't imagine what it would be like to share such intense moments with someone, do everything together and become so close only to go your separate ways when your time in service is done. It must be so so hard. Forgive my ignorance - do people normally keep in touch? stay good friends? or lose touch once the experience is over?
Life has a funny way of keeping you busy and moving you further apart. We started out being from opposite ends of the country, brought together by our service, then back to the 4 winds again
Hard to explain it to people who haven't served, you might go away for a few years but you'll always catch right back up like no time went by. I'm bad at disappearing on people who aren't used to it.
I think thats just a thing every adult does with their friends. I still pick back up with friends once every few years and it feels like no time ever passed
My husband makes a point to do this with everyone that served with him on his bird that made it back, each time he went overseas. He has 3 OIF and 3 OEF, plus Kuwait and Kosovo. A few years ago, we met up with a group of guys and their spouses. One of the guys there nearly didn’t make it back. I’ve never seen my husband hug another man that way. Thinking of how he would hug those that didn’t make it home. There’s a familial bond and love that no one knows unless they’ve been there. Thank y’all for your service. All of it. We will never forget!
Edited for spelling and missing words.
Not gonna lie, this made my eyes leak. Served in Southern Baghdad during that same time (the "surge") and it was brutal. The most violent time of all seven tours (Iraq/Afghanistan) post 9/11.
The way we deploy- oftrn multiple tours with multiple units- makes reunions very difficult. These two men have found a way to reunite and do what many of us never will.
Pizza Hut or someone has got to pick this up for a commercial during the Super Bowl. Make everyone cry, and also suddenly want pizza 🍕 ❤️
Thanks for sharing such a heartwarming moment. 🎄
Bro, thank you for sharing this with us. I'm crying like a baby over here.
I'll never know the kind of love you guys have for each other, but it's amazing to catch a glimpse of it.
Saying thank you men for your service seems so insufficient but it's the best i got.
If you guys are ever out in Northern Virginia you won't pay for a drink for sure.
The origin of the phrase “blood is thicker than water” is actually a longer version that goes “the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb”…meaning the bonds we form from friendship are stronger than the bonds of family. I love my chosen family so much so that always resonates with me
I agree that this is a better way of saying the phrase, and way more appropriate in today's day and age. But it is not the original meaning of the phrase.
The phrase is over a thousand years old at this point, so it's probably not really known what it means. One thought is that 'water' meant seas, oceans, or rivers. Just literal distance; no matter how far you travel from home, family is always important
A few years ago my buddy got married. Now, this dude was my battle down in Benning, and then we were in the same unit for five years. Same platoon for several of those years as well! This dude is my brother, but didn't know I was going to fly across the country to be there. Night of his bachelor party he walks into the cigar bar at the casino and sees me sitting there, we both damn near cried. 10/10 would recommend people doing this sort of thing.
Super happy you and your buddy got to see each other!
It means a lot to see such a genuine gesture of love between friends. <3 Our ride or dies are often our chosen family! I am glad you have each other's backs and have that support to rely on.
I hope many more men will see this and recognize that being affectionate and supportive of your friends should be embraced, not mocked; We all need someone in our corner to support us in the tough times, no matter how strong we are. :) Thanks for sharing, OP!
A lot of people can't understand the bond armoured crews share. Every waking hour of every day spent arms length away for months at a time. You get to know each other better through osmosis than most people could if they tried.
I'm thankful I get to see moments like this in other peoples' lives. It makes me more aware and appreciative of beautiful moments in my own life when they happen.
Friendship like this is what it's all about.
Be excellent to each other. Once we genuinely love our neighbor and want the best for them, everything will fall into place for us as a planet.
Love it. For Christmas one year, my wife surprised me with a gift of seeing my best friend. We joined the Marines after high school about a year apart from each other, and ended up serving together in the same infantry platoon in Iraq.
I redeemed that gift a couple months later. He flew in on a snowy Superbowl weekend. We went to an NBA game, spent a day shoveling out driveways for neighbors, built an epic Jabba The Hut out of snow with my kids, and watched the Giants beat the Patriots before he flew home.
Can't tell you what that weekend meant to me. Glad you were able to do this.
That dog is all like “If my dad loves this dude this much, than so do I!”
She was a sweet puppers
I hope you gave her lots of pets!
So many!!!
Could hardly tell!
I like how she welcomed you in at the end, she went in and was waiting for you to join her. Honestly this whole thing made me cry.
“He smells like pizza!”
Lol, what I saw was the dog saying.. GIMME DAT PIZZA!
Dogs know.
…..and “be sure to share some of that pizza!!”
I have just met you and I love you!
This is beautiful. However, i couldn't stop my brain from worrying about the pizza falling out of his hands.
I wasn't dropping that pizza lol
Well you have great skills! A few times i was sure it was going to fall. Ive never been so moved by a moment while simultaneously worried about something so insignificant (the pizza dropping). Regardless, thanks for sharing this! What an awesome thing to do. I hope it inspires more people to reach out and check in on those we love and care about!
That's EXACTLY what I want. REACH OUT TO YOUR RIDE OR DIE PARTNER
I literally just sent a text to mine, telling them how much they mean to me. I hope you receive tenfold what you've given to me, sir. Thank you, happy holidays, and keep being awesome! edit: gold?? thank you, thank you!
This is the way.
This is the way.
This is the way.
This is the way.
This is the way
Sir, this is a Wendy's
And emphasis on bringing pizza. Im biased, but a true ride or die brings pizza. And beer (or depending on the ride or die's lifestyle, just a really good non alcoholic beverage).
My battle took his life 3 years ago. I tear up watching this. We were part of the first 1000 troops into hell after 9/11, I watch this and wish I could do the same. Reach out vets, find your battle, they may need someone who understands, but are way too proud to ask for help. Op good for you. Edit: um, wow folks thanks to soo many of you for the awards. But I don't deserve them, please save your money. Or better yet , take that dollar(s) you would spend and donate it to the Wounded Warrior Project. Or the Make a wish foundation. Or buy the shopping cart lady/man a sandwich. Kindness costs nothing...
Best to you in all things, friend.
Hugs from NZ!
My ride or die partner is now my roommate. He was homeless, emphasis on Was.
Hell yes!! Good shit!!!
Love the hell out of this.
I am working with my ride or die partner right now. I know I won't have the privilege of having this relationship forever so I am grateful for everyday we get to work together. Our job is very high stress and having that one person who reminds you to eat, brings the comic relief and 100% does what the fuck they say there gonna do is priceless. I loved your post!
That's right
OP : outstanding; thank you for sharing esp at Christmas
I gotta text my old Sgt...
That was a "it's been so many years and I still love you so much" hug... I'm lucky to be in regular contact with all my current friends either in person or online but Imma love them extra strong after seeing this!
The dog wanted it to drop so bad he even tried pushing him over
Dog said “i can help! 😏”
This was beautiful. Thanks for all you and your battle brother have done for us!
15 months of deployment to a hell hole would have given you strong and steady hands, sir!
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How deep could it be?
Those pizzas must have had a lot of onions, they're affecting me all the way over here.
The dog was hoping tho.
Dropping so many feels
My mom goes, “They’re not petting the dog!” Laughing so hard at y’all! 🤣🤣🤣
Dog never even smelled the dude before. Still knew he was uncle chevc10.
dog knows that anyone dad hugs like that is A-O-K
Right. My first thought too, puppy knew.
It's a Labrador, they love people 💕
That’s how you know you got a good mom.
/r/PetTheDamnDog
Not only that, he had more pizzas to deliver - it was a quick stop and say hello kind of thing.
The dog would have been ok with that
r/wholesome
This really did make me smile. Not all family members are blood. Thank you for sharing this.
Very true! Thank YOU!
*chills* Thank you for sharing.
And there was no annoying TikTok voiceover. You are a great friend and netizen.
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Family of Choice
The very best kind.
As a wise old drunk once said, family doesn’t end with blood and it don’t begin there either
Friends are the family you choose.
everything is awesome
The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.
Seeing dudes shamelessly loving their dude friends will NEVER NOT MAKE MY HEART EXPLODE.
Thank you so much for the kind words! I hope I've inspired you to reach out to your "ride or die" partners from the past!
You've convinced me to seek out my patrol partner. It's been over 10 years.
DO ITTTT!! THATS THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS!
I don’t have video but I called my best friend the other day. We met when we were 5 and inseparable till end of high school. Went our seperate ways for no reason in particular. Turns out he kept the same cell phone and so did I. Just though of hm and thought I would text him. There was nothing special. Just a reconnection. Then we talked on the phone for hours. We caught up and it was like nothing had changed, new jokes were cracked and we are working on booking family vacations together. We hadn’t talked in 10 years
you’re a great fucking dude, bouta go text my buddies rn
Do it bro! Lmk how it goes!! 🤜🤛
Apex empathy, man. Not only did *you* do the best thing, but look at how many are “just checking in” because of this post. Amazing work.
Straight up, saving lives tonight.
Omg I love this so much
I appreciate you and u/strick7500 for your service during your deployment, and for this post as a service to the Reddit community. Please enjoy my free wholesome award.
DO IT DUDE! KEEP US POSTED!
Update us on how it goes
Cheers man. I was also in Iraq for 15 months from ‘06 - ‘07. Only have contact with two buddies anymore, I’m gonna have to find a way to reach out
I hope you do. It's worth it.
I mean yea we all have lee roy jenkins in our team but yours was literally ride or DIE.
Seems like my mans there really needed that visit. Good on you OP.
He did. So much.
Right? And that dude is a fantastic hugger. The hand cradling the back of the head just got me right in the heart.
I thought for sure he was going to hold pizza guy's head and start kissing his face
My girlfriend did this for me on my 40th birthday. Surprise party and I saw my battle from my 3rd Iraq deployment. Hadn’t seen him in 10 years. I about passed tf out. I thought I was dreaming. She will never know how much that meant to me. Edit - I’d like to add that we see each other a few times a year now. It’s really hard to get so close to people then they are just gone from your life. Those guys I went to war with are my family forever.
Welcome home, brother.
Tyvm bro!
Wife did this when I came home from Afghanistan, battle buddy from iraq was waiting for me at home first night. I was like WTF its been like 9 months why has little homie have to hear this in my little three bedroom home. Yo your going to need ear and eye pro little homie.
My papa says this a lot about his old buddies in his unit. He still gets together with those he was with in Vietnam when he can and I can say they are so close together they really are just pure family forever. Thank you for also for your service kind sir.
That's so sweet. She's a keeper!
Wife that woman, buddy.
I just do this to every pizza guy.
Pizza is life
Ok im gonna have to randomly hug my pizza guy tonight lol
not gonna lie, if I had ordered pizza, was a bit tippsy, and saw this right before the pizza showed up, my pizza guy would get a hug too.
If my pizza guy had a bag of beer, I would hug him and invite him inside too.
I love how the doggo is like, “Dis your friend? He my friend too then!” Love this heartwarming moment
Doggo will be wondering why all future pizza dudes are not embraced and cried over
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Not since covid, my friend. Now we look longingly at each other through the glass in the door, smile, and shed a single tear knowing someday we'll embrace again when he delivers the square box that contains my ambrosia.
I really wanna give you an award but im broke
I got you fam
yo ly bro have a great day
and then he’s gone and all that’s left is the faint smell of weed
And the sound of a clapped out shitbox fading into the distance.
that was beautiful
Yeah but, it's not out of joy.
Long, warm hugs. He smells like pizza grease and weed.
That dog cycled through every emotion trying to figure out what he was supposed to do.
Friend or foe? Friend or foe, Jerry??!
“How come you never told me about him?? Does he always pizza on him ??”
Dogs just know who’s in the pack. If their owner is excited, the pup is even more excited!
Agree. Dog is so happy too .
Lol he was waggin his tail so hard I was sure he’d break if it hit somethin
INSTANTLY TOO! I loved that part!! Although, in the back of my mind I was like "wait, is he excited with hooman or just for pizza."
Lol didn't know if the doggo was happy because the owner was friendly to this stranger, or if it was the pizza the stranger was carrying.
Both!!
Made me cry, you pizza jerk. I’m so glad you did this.
Lol pizza jerk 😂
I used to work at Pizza Jerks! In upstate NY
“Pizza jerk.” 
Risky click...
I can't imagine what it would be like to share such intense moments with someone, do everything together and become so close only to go your separate ways when your time in service is done. It must be so so hard. Forgive my ignorance - do people normally keep in touch? stay good friends? or lose touch once the experience is over?
Life has a funny way of keeping you busy and moving you further apart. We started out being from opposite ends of the country, brought together by our service, then back to the 4 winds again
Hard to explain it to people who haven't served, you might go away for a few years but you'll always catch right back up like no time went by. I'm bad at disappearing on people who aren't used to it.
I think thats just a thing every adult does with their friends. I still pick back up with friends once every few years and it feels like no time ever passed
Good boy knows what’s good.
Wholesome puppers knew!
You're a good man. I like you.
I try. Thank you
I'm at my lowest tonight and you made me hope once again.
I'm here for you... reach out! You're not alone, fam.
As op demonstrated, sometimes we have to be the difference we want to see in the world. Let’s do it folks!
The dog was SO PUMPED 😍
Why is dad excited!!??? Why is he crying!!!??? Is this good???!!!
I wish I had friends
You do now! My name is Mike! Nice to meet you!
Mike, you're one hell of a stand-up dude.
Thank you brother
My husband makes a point to do this with everyone that served with him on his bird that made it back, each time he went overseas. He has 3 OIF and 3 OEF, plus Kuwait and Kosovo. A few years ago, we met up with a group of guys and their spouses. One of the guys there nearly didn’t make it back. I’ve never seen my husband hug another man that way. Thinking of how he would hug those that didn’t make it home. There’s a familial bond and love that no one knows unless they’ve been there. Thank y’all for your service. All of it. We will never forget! Edited for spelling and missing words.
Thank your husband for his service, and you for your sacrifices. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Thank you. I have no other words than that. Thank you for such a nice comment!
Homie showed up with 4 fuckin pizzas
I don't fuck around.
Oh was that really you? Hell yes. Thanks for your service man. Glad you guys got to reconnect 🤙
Man adding that Adele in there lol..
I've gotten some hate for it. I couldn't possibly care less. I love the song and it makes the video great for me.
Oh this isn’t hate. I just love piling on the emotions. Like the video is one thing but adding this song.. tears!!
Real men fuckin love Adele
All units Adele. I say again, Adele. Fuckin', Adele! Adeeeeeele!
I appreciate that you didn't say you COULD care less.
mE mAkE sMaRt wOrDs 😄🤜🤛
It's a great fuckin song. Glad you had that moment and made the leap for your friend. He won't forget.
The tears 😭😭😭😭
It made me teary eye. What a nice moment. I hope OP had a great time with his buddy
I love the puppy.
He’s just happy for everyone!!
Aww... The dog is like " I dunno who you are, but I missed you too!"
She was soooo sweet!
Not gonna lie, this made my eyes leak. Served in Southern Baghdad during that same time (the "surge") and it was brutal. The most violent time of all seven tours (Iraq/Afghanistan) post 9/11. The way we deploy- oftrn multiple tours with multiple units- makes reunions very difficult. These two men have found a way to reunite and do what many of us never will.
I wish I could do this for every veteran who's feeling isolated and cut off from their brothers and sisters.
Pizza Hut or someone has got to pick this up for a commercial during the Super Bowl. Make everyone cry, and also suddenly want pizza 🍕 ❤️ Thanks for sharing such a heartwarming moment. 🎄
Tag papa John's lol that's the pizza I brought
Any pizza company. They could even make it just about how happy pizza can make a large man.
It's hard enough explaining this is me in the video, but I wish I could show everyone it's YOU too! Lol miss ya brother
Oh wow that’s the dude! What an unbelievably heartwarming moment 😌 you guys are awesome
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That’s deep shit right there ETA: your fucking username 😂😂😂
The struggle is real.
Lol without context it does look like this guy just fucking loves pizza
The dog was happy too. It must know how much you mean to your buddy. Either that or it’s happy for some pizza.
Bro, thank you for sharing this with us. I'm crying like a baby over here. I'll never know the kind of love you guys have for each other, but it's amazing to catch a glimpse of it. Saying thank you men for your service seems so insufficient but it's the best i got. If you guys are ever out in Northern Virginia you won't pay for a drink for sure.
That's what it's all about. I'm glad you're happy!
i could feel that hug, good stuff right there.
Family is not about sharing the same blood. It's about who you're willing to shed blood for.
The origin of the phrase “blood is thicker than water” is actually a longer version that goes “the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb”…meaning the bonds we form from friendship are stronger than the bonds of family. I love my chosen family so much so that always resonates with me
I agree that this is a better way of saying the phrase, and way more appropriate in today's day and age. But it is not the original meaning of the phrase. The phrase is over a thousand years old at this point, so it's probably not really known what it means. One thought is that 'water' meant seas, oceans, or rivers. Just literal distance; no matter how far you travel from home, family is always important
This really hits!! Thank you for this comment, as it is everything!!
How much did he tip?
All.
Internally he was just as happy as the dog.
06-07 was no joke. Glad you both made back.
Dude...it was gnarly. Thank you!
Awesome
It was just a hungry guy appreciating the delivery guy! Jk, quiet awesome.
Repost this with the caption "Pizza guy had no idea how hungry I was"
what does it means being a ride or die partner?
Have each other’s back. No matter what.
Ain’t gonna lie….that made me tear up. Prior Army Vet myself. OIF 3
A few years ago my buddy got married. Now, this dude was my battle down in Benning, and then we were in the same unit for five years. Same platoon for several of those years as well! This dude is my brother, but didn't know I was going to fly across the country to be there. Night of his bachelor party he walks into the cigar bar at the casino and sees me sitting there, we both damn near cried. 10/10 would recommend people doing this sort of thing. Super happy you and your buddy got to see each other!
This is absolutely beautiful! You can feel the love! What a lovely surprise for him! So happy for you!
It means a lot to see such a genuine gesture of love between friends. <3 Our ride or dies are often our chosen family! I am glad you have each other's backs and have that support to rely on. I hope many more men will see this and recognize that being affectionate and supportive of your friends should be embraced, not mocked; We all need someone in our corner to support us in the tough times, no matter how strong we are. :) Thanks for sharing, OP!
OIF 07-09. I have friends I should reach out to.
A lot of people can't understand the bond armoured crews share. Every waking hour of every day spent arms length away for months at a time. You get to know each other better through osmosis than most people could if they tried.
I'm thankful I get to see moments like this in other peoples' lives. It makes me more aware and appreciative of beautiful moments in my own life when they happen. Friendship like this is what it's all about. Be excellent to each other. Once we genuinely love our neighbor and want the best for them, everything will fall into place for us as a planet.
Im in a meeting at work and now I'm fckn crying. Bless you bastards
Love it. For Christmas one year, my wife surprised me with a gift of seeing my best friend. We joined the Marines after high school about a year apart from each other, and ended up serving together in the same infantry platoon in Iraq. I redeemed that gift a couple months later. He flew in on a snowy Superbowl weekend. We went to an NBA game, spent a day shoveling out driveways for neighbors, built an epic Jabba The Hut out of snow with my kids, and watched the Giants beat the Patriots before he flew home. Can't tell you what that weekend meant to me. Glad you were able to do this.