Navy mother surprises daughter after 6-month deployment

CONOVER, N.C. — A 5-year-old girl was in shock Thursday to see her mother, who has been deployed overseas for six months.

Catherine Kelly, who serves in the Navy and was stationed in Bahrain, returned from her second deployment with the Navy. With the help of her family, she planned the perfect homecoming surprise at Concordia Christian Day School just as the students took their class picture. She surprised her daughter, Brianna.

Catherine Kelly's brother and sister-in-law have been taking care of Brianna since her mother's deployment.

Catherine Kelly told Channel 9 that the time away can take a toll.

"It's been rough, being away from your family members, especially your kids," she said.  "(You've) got to think that you do this for your family and it's your job."

"(I'm) so proud of Bri for being such a big girl through all this. She has really been a wonderful little grownup, almost, through this. She's handled it well," sister-in-law Angie Kelly said.

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