RI sailor surprises daughter with special homecoming

Summary

In a heartwarming reunion, four-year-old Corrie joyfully reunited with her father, Officer Eric Santos of the U.S. Navy, after being apart for seven months due to his deployment in East Africa. The emotional surprise took place at her school, where Corrie's excitement was palpable as she called out to him. While technology allowed them to stay connected, nothing could replace the joy of being together. The Santos family is now looking forward to spending quality time during the holidays, with Corrie eager to play with her dad and enjoy their time as a family once more.

Takeaways

• 😀 A heartwarming reunion took place as four-year-old Corrie was reunited with her father, Officer Eric Santos, after seven months apart.
• 🎉 The reunion occurred right after school, surprising Corrie when the school bell rang.
• 🇺🇸 Officer Santos serves in the United States Navy and was deployed to East Africa earlier this year.
• 💔 The deployment forced Eric to say goodbye to his wife, Rochelle, and their three children, who struggled to understand his absence.
• 📱 The family stayed connected through phone calls and video chats, but they longed for in-person interactions.
• 🤗 The emotional moment of reunion showcased the importance of physical presence and touch in family bonds.
• 🎄 Eric's return comes just in time for the holidays, making the reunion even more significant for the family.
• 💞 Rochelle expressed her excitement about spending quality time together as a family during the holiday season.
• 🎈 Corrie expressed her joy by saying she's excited to play with her dad now that he is home.
• 📺 The story was reported by Eyewitness News reporter Caroline Goggin, highlighting the emotional impact of military reunions.

Q & A

How long had Officer Eric Santos been deployed?

Officer Eric Santos had been deployed for seven months.

What was the emotional reaction of Corrie upon seeing her father?

Corrie expressed sheer joy and excitement, immediately calling out 'Daddy!' when she saw him.

What significant event marked the reunion between Corrie and her father?

The reunion was marked by the ringing of the school bell, which signaled a big surprise for Corrie.

What does Officer Santos do in the military?

Officer Eric Santos is an officer in the United States Navy.

How did the family maintain contact during Officer Santos's deployment?

They maintained contact through phone calls and Skype, although Officer Santos noted it wasn't the same as being physically together.

How did Rochelle, Officer Santos's wife, feel about his return?

Rochelle expressed excitement about having her husband home in time for the holidays.

What challenges did Officer Santos's children face during his deployment?

His young children struggled to understand his absence, making it tough to say goodbye.

What were the family's plans for the evening after the reunion?

The family planned to spend quality time together at home.

How did Corrie describe her feelings about her father's return?

Corrie described her feelings by saying she was 'happy' to be going home with her dad.

What did Officer Santos emphasize as the most important job upon his return?

Upon his return, Officer Santos emphasized that his most important job was being a dad.