First grader Ava Bonnstetter hasnt been able to hug her dad in 10 months.

He was deployed to the Middle East as a mechanic for the U.S. Army.

Austin said he was thankful to his wife, Martina and Northwest Elementary School for allowing him to surprise Ava with a special reunion.

Thinking about when's the next time you're going to come home and see your family," he said. "Just every day is a blessing.

Principal Taylor Harper tells me she organized the surprise last minute with Avas mom, Martina.

I was super pumped immediately, just hearing how exciting that would be for their family," she said.

Harper said she wanted it to be a surprise for all of Ava's classmates too.

We told them that a local celebrity was coming, so they've just been super excited all day long," she said. "The ant

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