Article updated: 2/14/2013 9:02 PM

Soldier surprises daughter on Valentine's Day

Buy this photo Buy this photo
next prev 1 of 5
   
Gallery Image

Lt. Jordon Wolf hugs his daughter Kayla, a fifth-grader at Ridge Circle Elementary School in Streamwood, after he surprised her during an assembly Thursday. He had been deployed in Afghanistan since April.

photos by John Starks | Staff Photographer

Fifth grader Kayla Wolf can't believe her father, Lt. Jordon Wolf, is home from his deployment in Afghanistan. Wolf surprised his daughter and her classmates at Ridge Circle Elementary School in Streamwood Thursday, thanking the fifth graders for sending a care package to his unit during the holidays.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

First Lt. Jordon Wolf hugs his daughter Kayla, a fifth grader at Ridge Circle Elementary School in Streamwood, and ex-wife Melissa, after he made a surprise visit at a school assembly Thursday. He had been deployed in Afghanistan since April 2012.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

Lt. Jordon Wolf and daughter Kayla, 11, had a surprise reunion Thursday at a Streamwood school.

Fifth grader Kayla Wolf is stunned to see her father, Lt. Jordon Wolf, is home from his deployment in Afghanistan.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

About this Article

Kayla Wolf knew her dad, stationed in Afghanistan for almost a year, was coming home soon. But she didn't know he was the guest of honor at an assembly at her Streamwood school. As he was introduced Thursday, she froze for a moment, hands clasped over her mouth. Then she ran to him. "He tricked me," she said later, but clearly didn't seem to mind.