San Antonio marathon had sweet finish for surprised wife

At the finish line, Sgt. Jonathan Gillis hugs his wife, Giselle, after she finished the half marathon in the Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012. Gilles, who was deployed to Afghanistan with the Texas Army National Guard, surprised his wife at the event. He arrived with his company to Camp Atterbury, Indiana last week but told his wife that his arrival would be delayed due to dental surgery. less At the finish line, Sgt. Jonathan Gillis hugs his wife, Giselle, after she finished the half marathon in the Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012. Gilles, who was deployed ... more Photo: Jerry Lara, Staff Photo: Jerry Lara, Staff Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close San Antonio marathon had sweet finish for surprised wife 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO - Jonathan Gillis likes surprises, the bigger and more elaborate, the better.

Jonathan, 32, a Texas Army National Guard sergeant, was supposed to be in Afghanistan on Sunday but instead was at the finish line of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon waiting for his wife with flowers in hand.

Giselle Gillis, stunned after running the half-marathon, ran straight into his arms. They embraced in a long kiss, Giselle sweaty and out of breath. She then began to sob. They hadn't seen each other in 11 months.

"This is so amazing," said Giselle, 27.

Jonathan likes to say he always wants to top the last romantic operation.

There was the time he bought Giselle a first-time skydiving lesson over San Marcos. She thought it was a college graduation present.

"I jumped out first, landed first and as she burned in, I dropped to a knee and popped the question," he added. "Of course, through tears of joy, she gave me a 'Hell, yes.' "

In this case, he knew his wife would expect a surprise so he had to keep her guessing. At first, he didn't mention that his infantry company had left Afghanistan a week earlier than scheduled, but like all battle plans it didn't survive first contact with the enemy.

Some of his fellow GIs were going to post Facebook messages announcing the company's return to Camp Atterbury, Ind., so he came up with a new story. Call it a preemptive strike. Like all soldiers in the National Guard, Jonathan had to demobilize. Before becoming a civilian again, he told Giselle that he'd first had to have his wisdom teeth pulled, then he'd be free.

Jonathan got into town Friday, carefully keeping a low profile and avoiding places he might run into his wife. "I definitely have a mission," he said prior to the reunion.

sigc@express-news.net