CRESTVIEW — Moniya Harris was surpised to see her father, Jermaine Harris, show up as her date to Duke it Out's annual Princess Ball.
Jermaine is leaving for his seventh deployment in 11 years next week, according to Moniya's mom, Alisha Hamilton. On the morning of Nov. 11, Alisha surprised her boyfriend's two daughters and Moniya with tickets to the Princess Ball, the Duke it Out team's fundraiser for Crestview's American Cancer Society Relay for Life. They all thought Alisha's boyfriend would be their date.
When the announcer called Moniya's name, however, a familiar face snuck up behind her.
Moniya last saw her father during the summer. Jermaine lives in Georgia, and Moniya thought she wouldn't see him again until he returned from deployment.
His deployment should last from six to eight months, Alisha said.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Father surprises daughter at Princess Ball before deployment