A seven-year-old girl ran from her school lunch table crying tears of joy when her single military mom returned from their first deployment apart.
Leila, aged seven, hadn’t seen her mom for six months before the emotional reunion at her school in Hampton, Virginia.
Taylor Mason, 29, was deployed to the Middle East in January – the first time she and Leila had ever been away from each other.
The separation was tough, Taylor said, and for weeks Leila would ask her mom on calls to find out when she was set to return from the desert.
When Taylor received her return date, though, she emailed Leila’s teacher to plan the big surprise.
Having arrived home, the 29-year-old booked a hotel down the street from her house, before having her mom pick her up the next morning to head to Leila’s school.
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With Taylor’s mom’s camera rolling, she then headed through the hallway, before walking into the cafeteria to surprise her daughter.
The surprise was very emotional for Leila, who continued to say “mummy” as tears streamed down her face.
Taylor said: “It was beautiful and emotional because she had no clue.
“For weeks Leila had been asking when I was coming home and I didn’t have a for sure date because, with the military, everything is always changing.
“When I did get my official date to return home, I emailed her teacher to help me come up with a surprise.
“My daughter is so strong – much stronger than me – and I know she handled being away from me so gracefully.
“I was so anxious to get there and love on her – my heart was so full. “
