Everyone has seen the clips on the news or gotten lost among the hundreds of videos in the YouTube universe, but seeing a surprise military homecoming in person is a different experience.

Even knowing about the surprise, I still got swept up in the emotion and the intensity of the moment. We learned about what was going to happen during the office pregame meeting, and I, of course, was extremely excited and already getting chills just imagining the moment and immediately made my way to the upstairs ice cream stand to tell my sister what was going to happen. After that, it was a typical game day pregame program.

Then it was time for the first pitches.

I made sure that when the time for first pitches came, I was in one of the best spots to see the field, at the top of the main grandstand. The plan was for a military wife to throw out the final first pitch in honor of her husband who was serving overseas. What she did not know, was the man behind the catcher’s mask was her husband. He had come home on leave and she had no idea.

She was also nine months pregnant and due to give birth any day.

With fingers crossed that the surprise would not send her into labor right there on the field, the first pitches took place as they do every night, with a small break before announcing the final first pitch. After being introduced to raucous cheers and applause in support of her and her deployed husband, the mother-to-be threw her first pitch without giving a second thought to who was behind the plate waiting for the ball.

While the unsuspecting crowd cheered for her pitch and she attempted to make her way off the field, everything seemed to slow as the catcher made his way out to the pitcher’s mound and took off his mask. You could see the moment the recognition hit her as she realized the face behind the mask was one she didn’t think she would see in person for a long time. As the returning soldier was introduced and the loving couple shared a moment on the field, the cheers of the crowd increased ten-fold. It was a touching moment and I will admit that I got chills watching it all unfold.

I also think some dirt must have blown off the infield and into my eyes because for some reason, they started watering.

Oh, and don’t worry, they walked off the field a family of two for at least another day. Baby stayed safely inside mom’s belly.

Confessional: Have you ever witnessed or been a part of a surprise homecoming? Was the surprise a success?