Fort Pierce mom gets unexpected Mother's Day surprise

FORT PIERCE — An unsuspecting Fort Pierce mother shed tears of joy at the Pelican Yacht Club Saturday, as she received an early Mother's Day surprise she won't soon forget.

During what she thought was a regular luncheon for Xi Nu Gamma, a women's group she routinely meets with, Julie Reed, 44, was reunited with her daughter, Marine Lance Cpl. Kayla Reed, 21, who completed a seven-month tour of duty in Afghanistan that separated the two.

"This was great. I've been waiting for this moment," said Julie Reed, tissues in hand and tears in her eyes. "I haven't seen her since September."

Fort Pierce Mayor Bob Benton presented Kayla Reed with a gold key to the city pin, as he thanked her for her service and welcomed her back to her hometown. Kayla Reed, who returned to the U.S. in early April, remained on base in San Diego until her surprise return to Fort Pierce Friday night. Kayla said she planned her leave to coincide with Mother's Day.

"This feels great," said Kayla Reed, who was stationed in the Nawa district of Afghanistan where she worked as part of a female engagement team, who undertook the task of helping local men and women adjust to life in the evolving nation. "I've seen You Tube videos of military men and women surprising their families. I thought it would be really cool if I could surprise my family too."

Kayla's grandmother, Patty Arendt, 65, and close family friend, Pat Alley, helped coordinate the reunion, which took a week of careful planning.

"This was the hardest secret I ever kept in my life," the proud grandmother said. "I'm extremely happy. We all had our 'God bless our Marine' bracelets on the whole time she was gone. We never took them off."

Alley said keeping the secret was one of the most nerve-racking experiences, but also the most rewarding.

"I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown," Alley joked. "To think she made it to Afghanistan and back, healthy and happy is just great."

During her two-week stay, the war hero plans on relaxing and spending some quality time with her family.

"I'm due for some rest and relaxation," said Kayla Reed. who also plans on attending a NASCAR race in Charlotte, N.C. with her mother. "We're going to go to the beach and do some shopping."