A heartwarming reunion took place in Killeen, Texas, when U.S. Army Capt. William “Will” Nase surprised his wife, Nicole Nase, at her workplace after a nine-month deployment in Europe. With the help of her co-workers, Will pulled off an emotional homecoming that was captured on camera, bringing tears of joy to everyone present.
The Emotional Surprise
After serving in Lithuania, 29-year-old Will Nase returned home on Wednesday and headed straight to Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Hospital, where his 28-year-old wife, Nicole, works as a nurse.
Nicole’s co-workers were in on the surprise and lured her to another floor under the pretense of grabbing a snack. When the elevator doors opened, Will was waiting on the other side, ready to greet her.
“Surprise!” her co-workers shouted, as Nicole instantly recognized her husband, ran into his arms, and burst into happy tears.
Planning the Perfect Homecoming
Will had been working on this surprise since September, coordinating with his military unit and hospital employees to make sure everything went smoothly. Despite the many chances for the plan to be spoiled, he successfully pulled it off.
“It was definitely a surreal moment,” Will said. “That was the first time I’ve surprised her coming back, and it was definitely a lot of fun and exciting.”
Nicole, who describes herself as a planner who is always aware of her surroundings, was completely caught off guard.
“I’m impressed you pulled it off,” she told her husband with a smile.
A Long-Awaited Reunion
The couple has been married for three years and together for nine. Originally from Georgia, Will’s military career has taken them across the country, from El Paso, Texas, to Virginia, and now to Killeen, Texas, where he serves as a captain with the First Cavalry Division out of Fort Cavazos.
This was Will’s second deployment, but unlike the first time—when Nicole moved to Florida to be near family—she stayed in Killeen for her nursing career, making the separation even more challenging.
“I’m just excited to not be in the house by myself,” Nicole said. “It’s different when I’m sitting in the living room and he’s not in the office playing video games. I’ve had nobody to bother.”
Looking Ahead: Life Back in Texas
Now that Will is home, the couple is looking forward to spending quality time together. While Mexican food is high on Will’s list of things he missed, his top priority is simply being with his wife.
This heartwarming reunion is a reminder of the sacrifices military families make and the joy of coming home to loved ones.
