Three daughters.
Three schools.
Three surprise visits.
Sgt. James Culler and his wife, Kaelynn Culler, made the rounds of three Lawton Public Schools on Monday so he could surprise his family with an early homecoming. Culler was deployed overseas for the past eight months with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment. Kaelynn learned on Friday that he would return Sunday night and she began planning three surprise visits.
Culler arrived at Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport about 8 p.m. Sunday, but due to a homecoming and other activities, did not arrive home until after midnight. His three daughters were spending the night with their grandmother so he and his wife could set up the surprise visits at school on Monday.
First to be surprised was Angelina Wheatley, 10, fourth grader at Woodland Hills Elementary School, who was in reading class.
“The teacher tried to make me look up,” she said. “I saw daddy. I ran up and hugged him. I cried a little bit because I missed him. I thought he was going to come home at Thanksgiving or right before Christmas.”
Once Angelina was collected, it was off to surprise middle child Rylee, 13, an eighth grader at Eisenhower Middle School. The trio waited in the office until Rylee was seated in the cafeteria.
“This is more nerve-wracking than last night,” said Kaelynn, who teaches at Lincoln Elementary School, as she waited to surprise her middle child.
Kaelynn, who was there under the guise of bringing Rylee some chicken nuggets, tapped her on the shoulder and pointed behind her. Rylee saw her dad and flew into his arms, nearly knocking him down. Students in the cafeteria began clapping at the happy, tearful reunion.
“I had no idea,” Rylee said of her dad’s return. “I just ran. I’m just really excited. I’m excited to spend more time with him.”
“I was not expecting her to grab me like that,” he said of the welcome from Rylee.
With two of the three daughters in tow, it was off to surprise big sister Alyssa Wheatley, 17, a junior at Eisenhower High School. This surprise also took place during the lunch hour when Alyssa was told that her mother was bringing her some food. Mom and dad emerged from hiding in the cafeteria and Alyssa raced into her dad’s arms.
“I was confused at first. When did he get back?” she said. “I am very happy.”
After lunching at Olive Garden, the newly reunited family headed home for some family time. Rylee and Angelina said they enjoy playing Mario Kart with their dad, while Alyssa said she enjoys putting LEGOs together with him.