This week, a mother is counting her blessings after recovering from one of the best surprises she has ever received. During the Arlington 4^th of July parade, event organizers teamed up with Katie Parenteau to surprise her parents with her brother's trip home from the Navy. Petty Officer 2nd Class John Parenteau had told his mother days earlier that there was a change of plans and his trip home had to be canceled due to a special project. K.C. Parenteau said that was not unusual, so she believed her son.

K.C. Parenteau was in such shock that she did not recognize her own son walking toward her until he took off his sunglasses. Hundreds of parade watchers erupted in applause, many wiping away tears.

"I have to be honest - my world went quiet and all I saw was my son's face. I realized afterwards that people were cheering and crying," she said.

K.C. and her husband had not seen their son in a year and a half. He was deployed in the Persian Gulf.

"I want to thank everybody from the bottom of our hearts - our whole family. It all came together very quickly - with 48 hours-notice. Everybody just kind of grabbed a hold of it and decided to make it happen. To give us that kind of surprise and that kind of homecoming - it's just beyond words. I can't thank them enough," said K.C.

Parade organizer Donna Darovich helped plan the surprise reunion. "I'm so glad Katie contacted our parade to help create this special moment. The Arlington Navy Mothers Club was thrilled when I asked them if they would be part of the surprise by letting him ride on their float and the standing ovation applause and tears of the crowd when it happened made everyone's year-long work on the parade so satisfying."

Katie said she and her brother thought the surprise would be a good way to thank their parents for everything they have done for them.

"When I contacted the parade organizers, I said my parents have loved us through everything we've chosen to do in our lives," said Katie. "I felt that whenever we succeeded, it was because of their love and support. To be able to see that sheer joy and excitement on her face, after everything she did for her kids. It was priceless. No price I could ever put on that."

K.C. only has her son for another week before he returns to his base. She said she will be forever grateful to parade organizers who made this moment possible - and to the community.

"People were thanking him and thanking us for our sacrifices," said K.C. "It was overwhelming to see all these people be so effected. A woman came up to me and said she posted a picture on her Facebook and said this was the best Fourth of July ever. It shows how much people appreciate our military. I thank soldiers all the time - it was pretty cool to be on the receiving end of that."