Broken Arrow Navy Dad Surprises Four-Year-Old Daughter With Visit Home

A Broken Arrow four-year-old got the surprise of her life when her dad, who serves in the Navy, showed up at school after months away from home.  

At Broken Arrow's Liberty Elementary, it started as an ordinary day in Mrs. Ray's classroom. But, spotted in the school's front office was a dad full of emotions waiting for a moment he's been planning.  

A certain four-year-old was already having a good day. The two were just a few steps away from each other. 

"Daddy!” Anastasia said as soon as she saw her dad walk into her classroom.  

MIKE: How are you?  

ANASTASIA: “Good!”  

MIKE: “Are you a happy girl?” 

ANASTASIA: “Uh huh.” 

And while Anastasia is full of smiles and laughter, she is also learning all about Veterans Day.  

"I learned about people, protect us,” she said.  

Her dad, Mike, has served in the Navy for more than a decade. The Petty Officer First Class has been in San Antonio all year and last saw Anastasia four months ago. 

“I missed you so much,” Mike told his daughter.  

“I missed you too,” she said.  

He had to keep a secret from his inquisitive daughter Thursday night on the phone. 

"She was talking about the Veterans Day parade coming up,” Mike said. “She was like, 'Where will you be?’ And I said well, I'll still be in San Antonio."  

Mike is in town for a couple of days but said he has plans to be back home for Christmas. 

"Well, Christmas is our holiday,” he said. “That's what we like to do. We make sure we go all out." 

“I love him so much because he's my whole entire heart,” Anastasia said.  

Her classmates celebrated the reunion with cupcakes. And after Anastasia and her dad shared one together, she got to go home early for the day, as a weekend to remember begins for father and daughter.