As a parent, being away from your child just to go to work can be hard. Now, imagine six months.

Friday, Bay News 9 was there for a reunion of a military dad and his 5-year-old daughter.

  • Sgt. Elisban Cavero returned from assignment on Friday morning
  • He reunited with 5-year-old daughter Kylie
  • Elisban Cavero will be home for holidays
  • Read more Good News stories

Sgt. Elisban Cavero got back from his latest assignment at 1 a.m. Friday. Not wanting to wake his daughter, he waited to surprise her at Hudson Elementary School.

"I didn’t know what to expect. She’s my love, my everything,” Cavero said.

Anticipation built for Cavero and his wife, Kassie, walking to 5-year-old Kylie's class, where she sat eating breakfast without a clue.

Then, her dad walked in. “Hi Daddy,” she said and turned to give him a hug as she began to cry.

“I was holding back tears. I haven’t seen her in six months and it’s always amazing having the feeling of family,” Cavero said.

After Kylie got her tears out, she was feeling back to her chipper self. “She didn’t grow up,” said Cavero. “Yes I did!” said Kylie.

Cavero is a staff sergeant in the Air Force. He’s been in the military for nearly 10 years. This is the second time he’s been deployed away from his family. The first time was to Afghanistan, when Kylie was a baby.

But these past six months have been hard on her. “With her at the age of 5, she doesn’t grasp the concept of time," Kassie Cavero said.

"So I can tell her daddy will be home in six months, that doesn’t stick. So the next day again, 'When’s daddy coming home, is daddy coming home yet?'" said Kylie’s mom, Kassie Covero.

But now that her dad is home, they can begin their joking together again.

"With her at the age of 5, she doesn’t grasp the concept of time. So I can tell her daddy will be home in six months, that doesn’t stick." Kassie Cavero

“Did you miss me?” Kylie nodded. “How much?” said Cavero.

Kylie put her fingers together jokingly. “Just a little?” laughed her dad.

The family already has plans for the first thing they’ll do together when Kylie gets out of school.

“Probably watch a movie together, I’m tired,” said Cavero. “I’ll watch a video!” said Kylie.

They’ll have a lot of time together. Cavero is in the reserves, so he’ll be home to celebrate the holidays. The first of course, is Halloween.

“What’s your costume?” said Cavero. “Bat girl!” said Kylie.

Cavero had been in training the past six months in Texas and Virginia.