Dylan and Jenna Eberhart reunited

ELKHART COUNTY — When Staff Sergeant Dylan Eberhart boarded a plane to Djibouti last June, he was just married and already planning his return trip. Eberhart thought his military buddies might join in on the fun.

“I said, ‘We should do a surprise for our families and tell them we’re coming home a day or two later, and then just show up and surprise them at the house,'” recalled Eberhart.

On Wednesday, March 9, the Army soldier of 12 years followed the plan to the ‘T.” He enlisted the help of friend and National Guardsman Bryan Obando. Obando picked up Eberhart from South Bend International Airport and coaxed his truck into his friend’s driveway. At that point, wife Jenna, was readying their Elkhart house for Dylan’s homecoming on Thursday.

But then…

“How ya doing?” asked Eberhart, as he walked through the front door — a day early.

Jenna’s jaw dropped — tears welling up in her eyes.

“Oh my god,” she blurted seconds later before embracing her husband, their first hug since the newlyweds bade each other good-bye on June 1, 2015.

“This is a lot better,” said Jenna, “It’s hello, and I’m not saying ‘good-bye’ anymore.”

More hugs and tears followed, even with Staff Sergeant Eberhart offering to clean the house.

“You’re gonna clean?” said a stunned Jenna.

“Yeah!” he exclaimed.

While the honey-do list sits on the back burner for a week, the couple will enjoy their new puppy, Finnley, family time, and the return to a new normal.

“I’ve never been so proud, and he’s my husband,” said Jenna. “And that’s amazing.”

Eberhart served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since Spring 2015, he was on a diplomatic deployment to the “horn” of Africa. He may travel to Europe later this year for training purposes.

Source: WNDU