Right in the middle of a heart-pounding school musical, the curtain rises on an unexpected scene: a soldier emerges from the shadows and into the spotlight, leaving his stepdaughter stunned…
Sergeant Tony Bryand surprised his stepdaughter, Jenalia, at a Christmas musical performance at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, bringing tears of joy to her eyes after he had served ten months in Kuwait.
We’ve all experienced the sense of missing someone we care about, but military families confront this issue daily. They count the days, weeks, and months until they can be with their loved ones again.
Each morning, they hope for good news, and each night, they pray for their loved one’s safe return. Sergeant Tony Bryand and his stepdaughter Jenalia experienced a joyful moment during a Christmas show at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres.
The surprise occurred on a Saturday when hundreds flocked to see the musical ‘White Christmas.’ Jenalia Valerio, nine years old, mounted the stage and played Susan Waverly.
Jenalia intended to deliver flowers to the show’s emcee, Nancy Nelson, as part of the pre-show announcement. Instead, she became a part of a memory that her family will cherish forever.
“She and I have had an excellent bond since I came into her life,” Sergeant Bryand said, his voice cracking with passion. The estrangement had on both of them. “Me being gone is a big change, really hard on her,” he told me. “Hard on me.”
The evening’s proceedings proceeded as planned. Jenalia went onto the stage and delivered her lines to Nancy Nelson: “On behalf of the theater, Nancy, we would all like to thank you for everything you do!”
Nelson performed her part wonderfully, saying, “You should have them, and I know someone who wants to give them to you, darling.” “Turn around!”
What occurred next brought the entire audience to its feet. Jenalia turned to see her stepfather standing in his military uniform. She dashed straight into his arms as the audience erupted in cheers.
Their hug expressed the affection of a father and daughter separated by military service.
Sergeant Bryand had never seen Jenalia perform in this concert before, so the reunion was very meaningful. That night, he sat in the crowd and watched his young child dazzle on stage. “Gonna give her a memory, gonna give us a memory that we’ll never forget,” he was saying.
The timing of their reunion during the Christmas season brought depth to their narrative. While performing in ‘White Christmas,’ Jenalia received the finest Christmas gift she could wish for: her father’s safe return home.
The Chanhassen Dinner Theatres later posted the poignant scene on social media, describing it as “a beautiful surprise” on their stage.
This tale demonstrates how much our military families sacrifice and how valuable their reunions become.
Let us continue to pray for our military men and their families, asking God to protect those who serve and comfort those who await their homecoming.