Nurith NupurIt’s Time To Meet
Of course, the hosts had to rile up the audience before the final reveal. They recounted the tale once again, before introducing the two. She told that Maroney had no inkling that the hug was even being photographed. Maroney affirmed that the hug “meant a lot.” There was a brief introduction of LeShay before she was brought out on stage.
Nervous Disposition
Leshay looked like a completely different individual from her childhood self. A much taller but still as charming LeShay stood greeted the hosts’ and Maroney shyly. After giving a quick hug to the two hosts, she finally embraced her rescuer from all those years ago.
Thank You
After 10 years of searching, it was finally time for Maroney to thank LeShay. Maroney’s first words to her were described how powerful her one token of kindness was. As he held back tears, Maroney told LeShay, “Your hug, it helped me through hard days and rough days. You rescued me more than I rescued you.”
A Tearful Reunion
The reunion between Maroney and LeShay was an emotional one. He was overjoyed to meet the individual whose one hug had such a powerful impact on him. “If not for her hug and her smile on that day, my life would probably be a lot different,” Maroney explained to WLOX.
LeShay’s Mother Recalls The Rescue
“I was crying because I was scared,” recalled LeShay’s mother to People. Being in a helicopter for the first time, in addition to the calamity they had to face, LeShey’s mother was understandably frightened. But her brave daughter displayed a calm composure and comforted her mother, and Maroney agreed with her. LeShay’s composure was laudable.
LeShay’s Mother Tells All
“The helicopter had open doors, so I looked out and you could just see all the water over everything, and it was just too much for me, so she [LeShay] was comforting me,” told Leshay’s mother to People. Being a mother of five children, their safety was first and foremost.