People who decided to embark on a career in the military aren’t the only ones making a sacrifice.
Their families are too.
Not only do military families have to worry about the safety and well-being of their loved ones in the military, but they also have to miss out on precious time spent with them.
This can be especially painful at special events.
Special life events and milestones of one person is something that is celebrated by the whole family.
So, it hurts when not everyone is there to attend.
Those who served in the military often have to miss holidays, birthdays, graduations, and weddings of their loved ones and friends.
Lyric Stewart’s dad was one of those servicemen.
His daughter had been fully prepared to graduate from Canton Academy without him being present for the graduation ceremony.
She sat through the whole graduation ceremony, where classmates gave their parents a yellow rose after receiving their diploma, thinking she would have to make this big leap in her life without her father.
When it was her turn to rise, she walked toward her mom in the audience with a yellow rose in her hand and a big smile on her face.
But her jaw completely dropped when she saw her father walking toward her.
“Oh my God!” she yelled when she saw him.
That’s when everyone in the auditorium started cheering wildly.
Lyric ran straight for her dad and jumped into his arms.
He walks with his daughter wrapped around him and puts her down and kisses her on the cheek.
Everyone is still wildly clapping as Lyric cries happy tears.
That’s when her mom and siblings walk out onto the auditorium floor.
“Daddy!” her little brother cries out as he hugs his dad.
The whole family shares a beautiful embrace that the entire audience is lucky to witness.
The video of this heartwarming moment ends with Lyric walking to sit down with her fellow students.
The video was also shared on YouTube where it was viewed more than 8.7 million times.
“I was single when I was in the Navy. Glad I was. I don’t know how these men and women do it and leave their families behind to serve. It must be gut-wrenching. Props to the wives, husbands, and family of these men and women as they too make a great sacrifice!” wrote one YouTube commenter.
“Wow, thanks for your service. I cried like a baby watching this video and I’m a strong/tough man who doesn’t even cry. Keep up the great work and congrats to your gorgeous daughter. Blessings to the entire family!” and another.
Many wrote about how excited they were for Lyric.
“Not only is your graduation the best night of your life, but having your daddy come home from the military and surprise you— that’s cooler! That’s gonna be a night you really won’t forget about,” a commenter wrote.
Watch the heartfelt moment in the video below!
