U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brittni Krill embraces her children, Julianna and Brantley. Krill surprised her husband, John Krill, and children Saturday with an unexpected appearance at a party at Butler's American Legion Post 117.

For a week, a soldier who had already returned home from deployment kept up the appearance of remaining overseas.

She faked a flight itinerary. She FaceTimed with her Army duffel bag beside her. Army Staff Sgt. Brittni Krill even called her child's teacher to make sure the surprise didn't get ruined by mistake.

Krill was originally meant to return home from deployment Wednesday. With the help of friends and family, she planned a party at Butler's American Legion Post 117 for Saturday night. Her husband, John Krill, would come with their two children for what was supposed to be a pregnant family member's gender reveal party.

However, after the party was organized and invitations sent, Brittni Krill's return home dates shifted. Instead of arriving back in Butler just a couple days before the big party, she returned a full week ahead of time. She spent it staying with her parents a few blocks from her home.

“It feels so good to be home,” she said, holding her 7-year-old daughter, Julianna, on Saturday.

Brittni's commitment to the surprise has roots about seven years in the making, when John pulled an identical stunt upon his own return from deployment.

John said he was “surprised, shocked and ecstatic.” He also swore he handled the shock better than his wife did a few years ago.

“She can't handle big surprises that well,” John said, laughing. “I, on the other hand, love surprises.”

Brittni managed to thwart John's own plans in the process of her scheming. Expecting her to return home in the coming days, John set up with a teacher at Emily Brittain Elementary School for Brittni to stage a surprise return at the school for their children. Brittni called the teacher again afterward to explain the real plan.

Saturday's party was attended by several dozen people, including friends and family members of the couple.

Brittni was hiding in a box when John arrived. The box was decorated with pink and blue balloons, and John was told that it was going to be used for the gender reveal. Instead, Brittni hopped out with red, white and blue balloons. Julianna and Brantley, the Krill children, were hugging her within seconds.

Brittni left home for her predeployment work in October 2018. Since her deployment in early 2019, she has only returned home for a handful of days.

She worked in several European countries as a fueler and truck driver, moving large quantities of diesel fuel for military operations.