Reunited
<p>Third-grader Nate Hayes visits with his father Ryan Hayes after being surprised during class Friday at Ponderosa Elementary School in Post Falls by his father's return from a tour with the Navy. Hayes, a master at arms in the U.S. Navy, who had been stationed in Spain since October, is scheduled to be deployed to Bahrain in three weeks.</p>
POST FALLS - Nate Hayes couldn't believe his eyes.
The Ponderosa Elementary third-grader was shocked on Friday when his father, Ryan, walked into his classroom after being stationed in Spain in the Navy since October.
"I thought it was someone else at first," said Nate, who remained beaming 10 minutes after the appearance.
Nate said the surprise was "very good ... very good."
Ryan, who is a master at arms, also surprised his son, Colton, at Frederick Post Kindergarten.
"It was worth the drive," said Ryan, who left Virginia and headed to Post Falls on Monday. "I was really looking forward to it."
Ryan said he wanted to appear in Nate's class, taught by Brandy PuFahl, as a way of saying thanks for the care package the class sent him for Christmas.
"(Nate) knew that I'd be coming some time, but he didn't know exactly when," Ryan said.
Ryan said he'll be home for three weeks before heading for duty in Bahrain.
"It's nice to be back and it's a nice change," he said. "I miss Idaho."
After Ryan visited in the class and with school staff, Nate got to leave school early with his father and other family members. He had a hop to his step and fired off a lot of questions to his dad to get caught up.
"I couldn't believe it was dad who came in," Nate said.
Principal Kathy Baker said it was an emotional moment.
"I have never had the privilege of hosting a reunion like this," she said.