nbc natalie gonzalez has the story. >> reporter: good morning, thomas. a very long and very emotional and historic night here in copiapo, chile add the miners are being pulled one by one by one in this rescue operation now, several hours now into it. the first pulled out, after vale gave his father a big hug, you can imagine, and next, a funny moment. he launched into tears and had all of the rescue team chanting add cheering [ speaking in foreign language ] and, in fact, brought back some souvenirs for all the rescuers as he greeted them. gave them each rocks from down below. then the other, the youngest of the group, 19 years old, one by one by one, a historic and incredibly remarkable evening here. the rescue that seem almost impossible. seems like it would never really happen, finally under way as family members now are getting the opportunity to be reunited with their loved ones, giving them hugs, crying those tears. it's been a journey for all -- all of these 33 men, but it seems over the next couple of hours and probably over the next day or two,