JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The families of two Jacksonville boys who have been missing for nearly two years said the recent safe return of two kidnapped boys in Missouri has given them new hope.

Darlene Briggs said she hasn't hugged her grandson in almost two years, which is how long Mark Degner has been missing. She said Mark is 14-years-old now -- about the same age as the two found in Missouri.

"It's a great thing to uncover one boy, but to uncover both boys is just unbelievable," said Briggs.

The happy ending in the Midwest is one Briggs would like repeated in Jacksonville.

Her grandson didn't disappear alone. Bryan Hayes also disappeared in February 2005. So, when two boys in Missouri turned up, the boys' families were glued to the television.

"It gives us the strength to make it through everyday. We have our times when we doubt, but we don't let that stand in the way of hope and faith that they'll be home," Briggs said.

Mark and Bryan were last seen at Paxon Middle School.

Mark's mother, Linda Alligood, said she tries to stay positive but admitted it's hard.

"The longer they're gone the scarier it gets," Alligood said.

Both families have made sure their teens are not forgotten. Last year, they celebrated Mark's birthday at a park.

Last week, computer enhanced pictures of both boys were released.

The families have distributed fliers of the boys across the country. Mark's family said it believes the boys want to come home.

"We believe too that they have been held against their will, and a circumstance or situation is going to happen like in this case that the boys will be recovered," Briggs said.

Investigators urge anyone who knows were Mark and Bryan are to call Crimestoppers at 866-845-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous, and both of the boys' families are offering a $10,000 reward.