INDIAN TRAIL, N.C. — A 13-year-old girl was surprised at school by her big sister who just returned from basic training in the Navy.
Emma Hayes' first formal dance is Friday night at Porter Ridge Middle School. She was upset her sister, Kayla Hayes, was not going to be there to help with her hair and makeup.
However, the 18-year-old graduated on Wednesday and flew home to Indian Trail just in time for the big event.
"They're very close," mom Theresa Linden told NBC Charlotte.
In the video taken during lunch at school, you can see the big sister sneak up and grab her little sister from behind. Once the shock wears off, the two quickly embrace, laughing and crying.
Hayes' sister has been in Chicago and San Antonio for the past for six months. The 18-year-old will spend two weeks with her family before heading off to Portsmouth, Virginia to work as a hospital corpsman in a labor and delivery ward for the next two years.
The family has a lot of celebrating to fit in over the coming days. The sisters' birthdays are in June.
"They're two amazing girls that just love each other so much," said Linden.