Military Mom Surprises 5th-Grade Son in School Mascot Costume After a Year Apart
Kael Lancey, a student at Chaffee Elementary School in Huntsville, Alabama, was shocked when he saw his mom in the school mascot's costume.
An Alabama fifth-grader has never been happier to see his school’s mascot, who turned out to be his deployed mom in disguise.
Kael Lancey, a student at Chaffee Elementary School in Huntsville, couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw his school’s mascot, an eagle, revealing itself as his mom.
Sgt. Desiree Lancey had been deployed to Kuwait for the past year, and hadn’t seen her son since last Christmas.
"It's hard being in the military and being away from them so much," Lancey told WHNT. "But seeing his face, just that initial when I walked in and saw his face, I couldn’t breathe and I was so excited ... just bliss."
Ahead of the surprise, her son, Kael, and the rest of his class were gathered in the cafeteria for a project involving former NASA engineers.
But Kael didn’t stick around for the assignment, as he couldn’t wait to be home with his newly returned mom after she revealed herself as they sang the national anthem.
“It’s rough, but it’s worth it,” Lancey said. “Small sacrifices for a long-term gain.”
RELATED STORIES
Trending on Inside Edition

NHL Star and His Brother Accused of Raping College Student in Lawsuit
Crime
Why Do More People Seem to Be Getting Sick This Flu Season?
Health
Tips for Leaving Creepy Crawlies at the Christmas Tree Farm
Offbeat
Alex Murdaugh Sentenced to 27 Years in Plea Deal After Admitting to 22 Financial Crimes
Crime
A Toy Story: How the Hess Truck Became a Holiday Staple and Conjures Up Childhood Nostalgia for Some
Offbeat
Riley Keough Gets $7.5M From Lisa Marie Trust, Pays Priscilla $2.35M to be Sole Trustee of Estate: Settlement
Entertainment