Soldier Surprises Stepdaughter Onstage Before Christmas Performance: 'A Memory That We’ll Never Forget'

Mar. 15, 2025

A Minnesota soldier surprised his stepdaughter with a special reunion — and it was all caught on camera!

Sergeant Tony Bryand and his stepdaughter Jenalia, 9, reconnected last weekend before Jenalia performed in a production ofWhite Christmasat Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, according toNBC affiliate KARE.

Jenalia Valerio, who plays the General’s granddaughter in the production, originally believed she was bringing flowers out for the emcee,Chanhassen Dinner Theatressaid in a Reels post.

Little did she know her father, who had spent 10 months deployed in Kuwait, had returned home in time for the holidays, and was there to surprise her.

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Jenalia turned around to see her stepfather Tony, in full uniform, standing behind her on the stage. She sprinted across the room and leaped into his arms as the audience cheered.

“A beautiful surprise happened on our stage over the weekend,” Chanhassen Dinner Theatres captioned their post.

Tony had not seen his stepdaughter perform before that evening, but got to do so after their sweet moment.

“Thank you for your service, Sergeant!” the emcee said before delivering the bouquet of flowers to the happy pair.

Meanwhile, Tony was happy to create and share such an extraordinary moment with his stepdaughter, who told KARE he has had “a really good bond with her” since entering her life.

He sweetly added that this will be “a memory that we’ll never forget.”

source: people.com