00:00 On your mark, get set, go!
00:04 10-year-old Deacon is racing through this obstacle course
00:08 without even knowing a huge surprise
00:10 is waiting for him at the finish line.
00:12 It was Anthony's first overseas deployment
00:17 away from his and his girlfriend's kids,
00:20 who he met four years ago.
00:22 Ever since Lindsey and I have been together,
00:26 taking the kids in and trying to be the best father figure
00:28 I could to them, and they've grown on me a lot.
00:31 I treat them just as much as my own kids.
00:33 They look up to me every single day,
00:35 and they bring me lots of joy every single day.
00:38 I just miss them every time I'm away.
00:42 Before deploying, he even gifted them all stuffed animals
00:45 with personal voice messages inside.
00:48 It was something that each kid individually
00:54 had special with me and them.
00:56 [whispering]
00:59 And so every time they push that button,
01:00 they have that special recording.
01:02 Deacon slept with his every night.
01:06 But after 10 months, it was finally time
01:09 to hear Anthony's voice in person,
01:12 right in time for the twin girls' birthday.
01:16 I've been gone for military events in the past,
01:18 missing their birthdays.
01:19 And so, you know, after being home from the deployment,
01:21 I was like, I have to get something.
01:23 I have to do something to get there to their birthday
01:25 to surprise everyone.
01:27 Who's here?
01:27 [laughing]
01:33 - You're too slow to get out of bed.
01:39 [laughing]
01:41 - Who's here?
01:41 - It's gonna be so exciting.
01:46 - I know.
01:47 Deacon had no idea his bonus dad had come home either.
01:52 On your mark, get set,
01:55 go!
01:56 - He's over there on that side.
02:06 [laughing]
02:10 - He's gonna be here for our party.
02:14 - Hi buddy.
02:15 - He was so excited and got the biggest hug ever
02:18 and just brought lots of tears to both of us.
02:22 That was just a great moment.
02:24 - That was a surprise.
02:26 - Yeah.
02:27 Everybody went hugs.
02:29 Going hugs.
02:30 - It was just the best feeling in the world
02:32 to be able to see y'all all at once.
02:34 Especially him, you know, being us two guys in the house
02:39 and me being back there.
02:40 And he was kind of the man of the house while I was gone.
02:43 So he was like a big relief when he got to see me
02:46 and I got to see him.
02:47 And it was just lots of joy for that day.
02:50 Take as many videos as you can with your kids,
02:52 spend as much time together as a family,
02:54 cherish every moment.
02:56 And just can't make up that time lost
03:00 with the kids and the family.
03:02 Take the time, make the memories.
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