The Denkins family — a mama and her four children — from Gainesville, FL, attended the Florida Gators football game on Oct. 3 and received a very special message from their dad and husband, Officer Kristian Denkins, who is serving his fifth tour in the US military in Afghanistan. After the message — in which Kristian says he wishes he could be there with them but promises to be home soon — the family is shown on the field, emotional after watching him on the big screen. They were totally not prepared for what happened next . . .

In classic military-surprise style [1], Kristian was announced over the loudspeaker and runs out onto the field to join his family. While the announcer welcomes him home and the crowd cheers, the family [2] hugs on the field.

Kristian said he planned the surprise [3] back in February, when he contacted the Gators' head coach. He told his parents and wife, but his children had no idea, "I couldn't believe what happened . . . I just broke down in tears," said Kristian's oldest daughter.

Watch the video to see the family's emotional reunion [4].