Soldier mom surprises her girl

First comes the music, and the choir is good, better than a school concert has any right to be. Aubrey sings with the others, and nothing about her gives away that she's the one about to be surprised.

Her teacher begins to explain that a reunion is about to take place. She mentions a mother who has been serving in Africa, and Aubrey's face changes as the words land. She has worked it out.

Aubrey runs into her mother's arms. The room breaks into applause, and at least one person in the crowd won't stop clapping.

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They hug in front of a decorated Christmas tree, Aubrey's mom still in her camouflage uniform. Fourteen months is a long time to wait for your mom.

The choir earns every bit of its applause. Still, the best moment of this Central Indiana concert was never in the program.