He was supposed to come home from Afghanistan next month, or at least that's what one Navy lieutenant's children thought.

Lew Cooper's two children, from Rockville, Maryland, believed they were on a VIP experience their stepmother had won for a military family to attend a National's game, which was already exciting enough. But it turned out to be a day they will never forget for another reason.

While Joey, 12, and Maddie, 10, were watching batting practice on the field, their dad, whom they hadn't seen in seven months, walked out of the tunnel to sneak up behind them.

"I'm speechless," Cooper told local affiliate, WTTG. "I feel like I'm dreaming and I'm going to wake up in Kabul. I hope not."

It was an overwhelming moment as hugs, kisses and even a few tears were shared all around.

"I was just so surprised," Maddie said. "I'm so happy he came back. I really missed him."

Cooper will be deployed again, but for now, the Navy is sending him to graduate school for at least the next year and a half.

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