Military Dad’s Tearful Reunion With Daughter

Sixth-grader Payton Stephen got a big surprise during lunch at her California middle school: Her father, Chief Warrant Officer Darrell Stephen, made it home for the holidays.

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Fresh off an 8-month tour of duty in Afghanistan, Darrell Stephen showed up to his daughter’s lunchroom as she ate pizza with friends. Watch the video, above, to see her emotional reaction.

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“I didn’t think he was going to get home for Christmas with like 10 days left,” Payton tells CBS Los Angeles. “It was really surprising to me.”

Adds Darrell: “I was really, really hoping everything was going to fall into place, and I could get home for Christmas and surprise her.”

But perhaps the best Christmas gift of all is that this visit won’t be a short one. After 20 years of serving in the military, Darrell won’t be going back overseas.