It was senior night at the University of Texas in Austin recently and the Texas Longhorn softball players took to the field to celebrate. Senior night is a time for the sports players to commemorate their final year on the team and to be honored for all of their hard work before moving on to the next stage of their life.
It’s one of the most important games of the season for the older players.
However, our favorite part of this year’s senior night was how one of the star players, Ki’Audra, got an additional surprise from her older brother who was supposed to be stationed overseas.
One by one, the players lined up on the field as the announcers listed off all of their individual accomplishments from their four years on the team.
When it was Ki’Audra’s turn, they had something extra special in store.
The announcers broadcasted a message on the jumbotron from her brother Army Sergeant La’Kedran Hayter who at the time, everyone thought was still in Okinawa, Japan.
“Hey, Ki’Audra. I just wanted to tell you congratulations. I’m proud of you. I really wish I could be there tonight. There’s no place I would rather be. Good luck on tonight’s game and I’ll see you very soon,” said La’Kedran.
It was an emotional moment that brought tears to Ki’Audras eyes.
“They had stopped me halfway down the line to tell me to pay attention to the jumbotron, and I just saw my brother pop up and as soon as I saw his face and just heard his voice, I just immediately got emotional and started crying,” said Ki’Audra.
However, that was just the start of the surprise.
When La’Kedran said, “I’ll see you very soon,” he meant it.
“Ladies and gentlemen, join us in welcoming home Army Sergeant La’Kedran Hayter,” the announcer said over the loudspeakers.
All of a sudden, La’Kedran came casually strolling out onto the field in full Army uniform to say hello.
Ki’Audra couldn’t believe it. She was so shocked that she fell down to her knees, completely overwhelmed with emotion.
“I just broke down, because I haven’t seen my brother in two years,” said Ki’Audra.
La’Kedran helped his sister up off the ground and immediately gave her a giant hug.
It’s not easy being part of a military family. The distance between siblings can sometimes be difficult to deal with, but it does make for some pretty incredible reunions.
“He was like, ‘Get up! Are you going to be able to play?’, said Ki’Audra. “And I was like ‘No, I’m not!’ Like, ‘Come here!’ Like, ‘Don’t leave!’
It meant so much to Ki’Audra that her brother was able to make it to the game to see her on her special day.
She never wanted to let him go again.
“Y’all really had me crying in front of millions of people! That’s not cool at all,” Ki’Audra joked.
It was such a beautiful moment. Ki’Audra never expected to see her brother so soon, especially on senior night, but she was so happy that he could make it.
Just a few days prior, Ki’Audra had Tweeted that she really wished her brother could be there to watch her play one more time. She never thought her wish would come true, but we are so glad that it did.
Watch the heartwarming moment that Ki’Audra is surprised at the softball game by her deployed big brother below.
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