Soldier suprises daughter at school in Miss.

PETAL, Miss. (NBC) -- A young Mississippi girl is spending her first day with her dad in more than a year. Mekah Setliff wasn't expecting anything unusual when she went to school Wednesday, but had the surprise of her life with a knock on the door.

Returning soldier, Charles Setliff of the 288th Sapper Company, surprised his daughter during her kindergarten class. The heartfelt reunion was long overdue. It's been over a year since Mekah had hugged her dad who has been serving in Afghanistan.

"You're over there and you come back to this. It's the best. Nothing can describe being back with my baby girl," said Setliff.

A tattoo of Mekah's name is imprinted on Setliff's neck; a reminder of his precious daughter that he carries with him into war.

"She's my inspiration to keep on coming back," said Setliff.