A girl who thought her soldier dad would miss her graduation couldn’t believe her eyes when he returned from deployment to surprise her.
Madison Maldonado, 17, had spent months feeling down about the fact that her father, Ricardo, 39, wouldn’t be able to attend her big day in Belton, Texas.
Ricardo, a sergeant with the United States Army, had been deployed in Germany since January, and for months it looked like he wouldn’t be able to make it home.
But having seen his request for leave get approved, Riccardo started liaising with his wife and older daughter Brittany, 25, to plan the big surprise.
Having returned to the United States the day before Madison’s graduation, Ricardo then stayed in a hotel so as not to raise suspicion.
Then, on May 26, Riccardo was collected by his family members and headed to the Bell County Expo Center in Belton, Texas, where Madison was set to graduate.
When Madison was with her family, Brittany started recording her younger sister while her dad snuck up on her.
Having clocked her father, Madison let out a “No,” before walking over to her father in sheer disbelief, followed by an emotional hug.
Both Madison and Ricardo were brought to tears by the emotion of the moment, with some family members saying it was the first time they had ever seen Ricardo cry.
Brittany said: “My sister was saddened by the news our dad wouldn’t be there for her graduation or her 18th birthday.
“I met my sister and other family members on the outside of the expo center, and we were trying to distract her and hide her sight from my dad walking up with my mom.
“In one glimpse she saw our dad and said ‘No!’
“She then started walking towards him in disbelief.
“My heart felt so happy when I saw my sister and Dad start hugging – it was very emotional for everyone.
“My sister started crying but stopped herself so she wouldn’t ruin her makeup.
“My dad started crying as well, which I had never seen before.
“It was a great feeling knowing my dad wasn’t going to miss out on one of the biggest days of my sister’s life.”