HAMPTON, Va. - Thursday was presentation day for second graders at Barron Elementary School, plus a little something extra for one student.
News 3's Brheanna Berry was there to see Airman First Class Gabrielle Bowers get to hug her son - and her mom - for the first time since August. Bowers followed her dream of joining the Air Force.
"We always asked him how many days did I have left until I came home and he would always go point on the calendar but I wanted to tell him so badly that I was coming home early," Bowers said.
She says it's the longest she's ever been away from her family.
"During basic [training], I had a rough week and it's because I missed him. I cried for a week. It's hard being away from children, it is," Bowers said.
And her family is happy to have her home.
"I decorated early because I wanted Aiden to feel like nothing had changed, so the fact that she is here now and we can have a normal Christmas," said her husband, Brandon Bowers.
"I am just excited to be home. I missed him so much," Bowers said.
