My name is Matt Rogers.
For those of you who don't know, here's what's going to happen.
There are seven adorable children backstage.
And they're going to be performing
a very special number.
They think I'm going to be recording
it on this flip camera and actually
sending it to their dad.
when actuality, their father is going to be hiding right
back there, the entire time.
He's been off serving our country
for the past six months.
So, when they're done, I'm going to introduce their father.
And get your napkins handy, because when he runs down here
and hugs them, I hope that this place erupts, and shows pride
for this country, and the service
that major Salvador has done for us.
Thank you very much.
[conch blowing]
[music playing]
[non-english singing]
It's showtime.
Are we ready? - Yes!
All right, let's hit it.
We got to go side stage.
I'll take Michael.
Come here, bubba.
Grab that stuff.
Here we go.
ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen.
Let's get ready to hula!
Please welcome to the stage the Salvador family.
[cheering]
[conch blowing]
All those little things are going in my mind.
I'm thinking, OK, I'm going to run up there.
And then, uh, I don't know what's going to happen,
but I'm just going to say, "Hey, guys, I'm home."
Watching them up there, it was just like a dream.
It was better than a dream.
It was better than anything I had anticipated.
[music playing]
[non-english singing]
To see the lights, and the people, and the kids,
and everybody in costume.
The moment was-- it was big.
And it was definitely a proud mommy moment.
[non-english singing]
Fantastic!
Hey!
You guys did an unbelievable job.
That was really, really good.
You guys rocked it tonight.
Your dad's been gone for six months.
Savannah's the oldest.
Savannah, let me ask you, what do
you love most about your dad?
He's always right there to help me, whenever I need him.
And he takes us out to do a lot of fun things when he's here.
Nice.
This beautiful little girl right here, this is Marina.
Marina, on a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you love your dad?
15.
15?
[audience laughing]
This is Riz Jr., right here.
Riz, what do you miss most about your dad?
I miss most about my dad that we can't spend as much time
as we did, uh, when he was here.
And we can't do as many fun things
as, um, when he is not here.
AUDIENCE: Aw!
It's those special moments.
Sharing life with them, that's what I'm missing.
I know you guys wish your dad could
have been here to watch you perform,
but we will send this to him.
But, uh, in fact, I'm going to change my mind.
I actually don't need to send this to your dad.
What?
It's like what?
Like, why aren't you going to send this to my dad?
He saw the whole thing.
He really did?
He did.
Savannah, look right back there, sweetie.
Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming home,
just in time to surprise his kids after serving
our country for six months.
Major Riz Salvador!
[cheering]
I love you!
I'm just kissing on them, and that's the excitement.
That's the pure, unvarnished joy.
[cheering]
Are you crying?
You're crying.
I felt really happy Daddy's home.
It just makes me cry.
Did I surprise you?
Did we surprise you?
I saw Savannah's face.
And, I didn't think I was going to cry.
And then when I saw her face, I did, because every emotion just
laid out.
And, it was great.
I love you.
Missed you so much, Daddy.
Oh, baba.
Daddy's here.