Army National Guard specialist surprises daughter at Sea Breeze Elementary School in Bradenton after deployment to Afghanistan

BRADENTON -- In the past year, 8-year-old Serenity Gryzik has grown "like a weed" and become "her own independent person," says her mom, Kristen Gryzik. But until Friday, Gryzik only knew about her daughter through rushed phone calls and posts on social media.

Gryzik, a 26-year-old specialist in the U.S. Army National Guard, surprised her daughter at Sea Breeze Elementary School on Friday after returning from a deployment in Afghanistan. The mother and daughter were last together in March. Under the guise that Serenity had done so well in class she would be the first to meet a special author, Gryzik surprised her daughter's second-grade class while they were working in the school's media center.

Serenity was shocked to see her mother, since she wasn't expected home for a few more weeks.

"I can't really explain it," Serenity said, clutching a teddy bear her mom brought with her for the surprise.

Gryzik had originally planned to surprise her daughter while picking her up after school, but Principal Greg Sander suggested they make it a little bit more of a production. Gryzik knew that would be OK with Se

renity.

"She loves the drama, so she will love this," Gryzik said before the surprise.

Serenity wasn't expecting her mother for at least another month, but the deployment finished early and Gryzik said she knew right away she wanted to plan a surprise for her daughter, who has stayed with family friends Tracy and Tommi Botti since Gryzik has been gone. The Bottis' daughter, Dani Tempesco, is a close friend of Gryzik. Gryzik flew back to Sarasota from her debriefing Thursday night.

It's the support from her friends, her boyfriend Michael Light and siblings Aaron, who lives in Sarasota, and Bridget, in Tennessee, that made it possible for Gryzik to get through long deployment.

"I couldn't have done it without the support system I have," she said.

Although this second deployment was easier for Serenity to handle than her mother's first one about three years ago, the nights were still tough, Tracy Botti said. That's when Serenity had the most questions about her mother.

"It's just great knowing she's not in danger anymore," Tracy said Friday.

Knowing her daughter, Gryzik said she didn't want to surprise her Thursday night, knowing the second-grader would get too wound up and excited to sleep Thursday night. That would lead to a tired Friday, and most likely a talkative and disruptive morning at school. Now, the pair will have the entire weekend to reconnect.

"Knowing my child, by the time Monday rolls around, she'll be tired of me," Gryzik said, with a laugh.

Serenity and Mom were looking forward to spending the weekend together, doing "girl things," Serenity said, including getting their nails done and maybe laying out on the beach or by the pool.

Meghin Delaney, education reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7081. Follow her on Twitter @MeghinDelaney.

This story was originally published February 19, 2016 at 11:47 PM with the headline "Army National Guard specialist surprises daughter at Sea Breeze Elementary School in Bradenton after deployment to Afghanistan ."