U.S. Army Captain Keith Robinson flew a total of 18 hours from Afghanistan to Kuwait to the United States to surprise his daughter, Ruby, as she graduated from Columbia University Wednesday.
Two weeks prior to the ceremony, Robinson told his daughter that he would not be able to make it to her college graduation. He had been deployed for the past six months in Afghanistan.
22-year-old Ruby had received her diploma, walked across stage, and was completely taken by surprise when she saw her father standing there.
Ruby told ABC News, ABC News “I expected to email him and maybe send pictures of the graduation, but to be able to celebrate in person, that’s so great.”
Ruby was immediately brought to tears at the sight of her father. Her father told ABC, ABC News “She was walking across the stage and shaking hands, and once I saw her face she started to cry.”
The two shared a heartwarming embrace after Ruby received her diploma. Robinson is extremely proud of his daughter, as she plans to begin her career in California this coming fall.