PLANT CITY, Fla — It was another Monday for middle school students at Marshall Elementary School as they were practicing band.
Little did seventh-grader Eli Muller know he was about to get the best birthday surprise of his life.
On his 13th birthday, Eli's brother, Ethan Muller, came home early from training in the Army to surprise Eli at school. Eli was in the middle of playing the clarinet when he was shocked to see his brother walk into the band room.
Eli was visibly emotional and most of all, happy.
"[I was ] shocked, that’s all," Eli said. "I didn’t really have anything on my mind but, oh my God, my brother's here."
His older brother Ethan has been training in the Army in Arizona since August. Monday afternoon was the first time the two brothers had seen each other in months.
These two aren’t just your average brothers, they’ve been close all their lives. They have moved multiple times in their lives as both of their parents served in the military.
"It’s been pretty tough," Ethan said. "I know being away from me is pretty tough. Being away from him is pretty tough."
Months later, the two brothers are back together like no time has passed. For the next two weeks, these brothers said they will be doing their favorite things, like wrestling.
It comes as a present for both of them. For Eli, a birthday present he'll never forget, and for Ethan, an early Christmas present. For these siblings, there’s no greater gift than brotherly love.
"I’m just glad to be reconnected, even if it’s just for two weeks," Ethan said. "I’ll take even an hour."
Ethan will return to Arizona in two weeks to continue his Army training. He is pursuing the same job as his mother, an intelligence analyst.