“I thought it was a bad pitch, so I was going to shake the catcher’s hand and say ‘sorry.'”

"I was excited because I was in first place and I saw my mom close to the finish line so it made me start running faster."

You'll want to watch this touching reunion (and grab a box of Kleenex first)!

Now "Harmonica Pete" is a meme and viral Internet star.

“I didn’t know what to do. My mind just went blank."

Their reactions are priceless.

The video has amassed over three million views on YouTube.

Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Keith Cowell had been deployed for ten months in Afghanistan and decided to become his daughter’s school’s mascot in an effort to surprise her.

“I cried because I hadn’t seen him for a very long time, and my birthday wish was for him to come see me."

“Which surprise do you like better?”