Tears of joy were flowing Thursday morning at an elementary school in New Hampshire as a member of the state’s National Guard surprised his children with a reunion.This family reunion was months in the making, and when it finally happened, it was a big surprise for Evan and Aria Griffin.It was the first time they had seen their dad, Maj. Mark Griffin, since he deployed in April. The surprise homecoming was part of a general assembly at the school that honored the family.”It was a lot of emotions, a little choked up,” Mark Griffin said. “It was good, exciting to see them come over.”His wife, Alyson Griffin, said the moment still feels unreal. With four young children, she said there were some tough times.”It’s hard to do bedtime. Every single night, just a lot of emotions all the time,” she said. “They cried a lot. Christmas was tough.”For the major, there are thoughts of what he missed, such as his youngest’s first steps. But he said the hardest thing was just being away. Now, his children are looking forward to the days ahead.”We can spend time with him wherever we go,” Aria Griffin said.”The best part about having Dad home is that we can do stuff with our whole entire family now,” Evan Griffin said.Mark Griffin served as an intelligence officer while overseas. Now that he’s back home, he said he’s looking forward to just being a dad.
Tears of joy were flowing Thursday morning at an elementary school in New Hampshire as a member of the state’s National Guard surprised his children with a reunion.
This family reunion was months in the making, and when it finally happened, it was a big surprise for Evan and Aria Griffin.
It was the first time they had seen their dad, Maj. Mark Griffin, since he deployed in April. The surprise homecoming was part of a general assembly at the school that honored the family.
“It was a lot of emotions, a little choked up,” Mark Griffin said. “It was good, exciting to see them come over.”
His wife, Alyson Griffin, said the moment still feels unreal. With four young children, she said there were some tough times.
“It’s hard to do bedtime. Every single night, just a lot of emotions all the time,” she said. “They cried a lot. Christmas was tough.”
For the major, there are thoughts of what he missed, such as his youngest’s first steps. But he said the hardest thing was just being away. Now, his children are looking forward to the days ahead.
“We can spend time with him wherever we go,” Aria Griffin said.
“The best part about having Dad home is that we can do stuff with our whole entire family now,” Evan Griffin said.
Mark Griffin served as an intelligence officer while overseas. Now that he’s back home, he said he’s looking forward to just being a dad.
