He may be a very important man in the US Navy but at the end of the day, he’s still a father.
A dad who wants nothing more than to feel both his daughters’ arms around his neck.
His sacrifice for all that time away from his family is well worth it. Especially when coming home to this.
Two little girls at Palm Pointe Elementary School in Port St. Lucie were about to have the best Wednesday ever.
Navy Commander Kyle Croce was in town and is getting ready to surprise his little girls. They haven’t seen him since January.
The man was in Italy but finally, the time to come home came and with the help of mom, Letitia, a schoolteacher, he was able to surprise his daughters in the middle of the entire lunchroom.
Caroline, 6, and Aria, 5, had no idea dad was behind those curtains. All they cared about was lunch with their friends.
It was just like any ordinary day in school. Only it was going to get better.
Commander Croce says he’s nervous but excited to see his girls. That smile on his face says it all.
He may look good in his uniform, and he may instill fear and respect in his men, but his daughters have way more power over him.
Backstage jitters for a tough soldier.
“Hopefully they run to me and show their happiness that I’m home.”
Those strong shoulders better be ready, Kyle.
Now this is a cool lunch room. Students gather and begin to enjoy their meals while a lady sings a patriotic song in front, and once she finishes, the curtains part and out comes Croce.
An announcement is being made but already, little Aria is making her way towards the stage with Caroline a few steps behind her. And that embrace is just too beautiful for words!
The other students applaud Kyle and his daughters, and you can hear those sweet “I missed you” messages under that hug. The man’s face says it all.
“You’re so big, you grew up.”
Says Kyle.
Aria shared her shock saying,
“Well first I said, ‘That looks like Dad’ and I thought you were a different guy”
“I missed hugging him.” said Caroline. “And I missed kissing him,” Aria interjected.
Mom says it was tough being a single parent when Kyle was away.
She had three girls to care for but now that dad’s home, she can relax a bit. She’s been crying happy tears all day!
And now, after eighteen years of service, Commander Kyle Croce is looking forward to being dad. No more shouting, push ups, or intense training exercises. Just a lot of play time and ice cream.
He’s home for good. That Italian tour was his last and now he gets to spend his years with the family.
Thank you for your service, Kyle! Speaking of Italian… There was a whole lot of pizza in the Croce household that day!
Check out Kyle’s wonderful homecoming reunion below!
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