Nick Burpee wasn't expecting one of the most important people in his life to be there on his high school graduation day.
That’s because the New Hampshire teen’s dad Jason Burpee had been deployed to the Middle East in February, and wasn’t due home any time soon.
But he got the surprise of his life when Jason turned up on the big day.
Stepping up onto the stage to receive his diploma, Nick was shocked when he saw the military man walking over towards him.
Delighted by the surprise, he’s got a grin from ear-to-ear, but it’s not long before the waterworks start flowing.
“I wasn’t expecting it at all,” he told WCVB TV. “I tried not to cry but it just came out. There are no words to describe the feeling.”
And Nick wasn’t the only one pleased to see his dad. His younger brother jumped up to give dad a hug too, while family matriarch Cathy was overcome with shock.
Jason did a good job of hiding his plans and is delighted that he did.
"I kept it under wraps the whole time until I decided about two or three weeks ago to pull the trigger on it and make the flight plans and come back," Jason said.
"They weren't expecting me to come home so it was a nice surprise."
The family have a week to spend time together before Jason must make his way back to the force. His deployment will end at the start of next year.
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