In arguably one of the most touching moments of the year, country singer Toby Keith surprised the wife of a soldier fighting in Afghanistan by reuniting her with her husband on stage during one of his concerts.

After pulling the surprised woman on stage during a Sept. 8 show in Houston, Texas, Keith began to play his hit song “American Soldier,” dedicating it to her husband, Maj. Pete Cruise (or Cruz, spelling wasn’t provided), who the woman thought was still in Afghanistan.

Army Wife and Soldier Husband Have Tearful Reunion on Stage at Toby Keith Concert

(source: YouTube)

“What’s his name?” Keith asked.

“Pete [Cruise]… he’s a major,” the woman replied, referring to his Army rank.

“Alright let’s do this song for Maj. Pete Cruise tonight,” the singer said.

As Keith began to sing the song, the soldier’s wife fought back tears and tried to sing along, completely unaware that she was about to be face-to-face with her hero husband.

After just the first verse of “American Soldier,” the lead guitarist began to play the National Anthem on a wailing electric guitar, leaving the woman on stage a little confused. Then, out of nowhere, Maj. Pete Cruise appeared on the stage where he and his wife shared a tearful and emotional embrace, the sound of the electric guitar still blaring behind them. Cruise was reportedly able to come home from Afghanistan earlier than expected.

Army Wife and Soldier Husband Have Tearful Reunion on Stage at Toby Keith Concert

(source: YouTube)

Army Wife and Soldier Husband Have Tearful Reunion on Stage at Toby Keith Concert

(source: YouTube)

And the crowd went nuts!

“She didn’t know he was coming here tonight,” Keith added.

Watch the heartwarming video below:

 

The Daily Mail provides the lyrics to Toby Keith’s “American Soldier”:

I’m just trying to be a father, raise a daughter and a son
Be a lover to their mother
Everything to everyone
Up and at ‘em, bright and early
I’m all business in my suit
Yeah, I’m dressed up for success
From my head down to my boots

I don’t do it for the money
There’s bills that I can’t pay
I don’t do it for the glory
I just do it anyway
Providing for our future’s my responsibility
Yeah I’m real good under pressure
Being all that I can be

And I can’t call in sick on Mondays
When the weekends been too strong
I just work straight through the holidays
And sometimes all night long
You can bet that I stand ready when the wolf growls at the door
Hey, I’m solid, hey I’m steady, hey, I’m true down to the core

And I will always do my duty no matter what the price
I’ve counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice
Oh, and I don’t want to die for you
But if dyin’s asked of me
I’ll bear that cross with honor
‘Cause freedom don’t come free

I’m an American soldier, an American
Beside my brothers and my sisters I will proudly take a stand
When Liberty’s in jeopardy, I will always do what’s right
I’m out here on the front line
Sleep in peace tonight
American soldier, I’m an American soldier

And the accompanying music video:

 

(H/T: Welcome Home Blog)