“I love daddy!”

That’s all his three-year-old daughter Scarlett said, and needed to say before she — and her five-year-old brother Louie — were embraced by her United States Army major father, Brian Slotnick, in the middle of their daycare’s reading room.

Daddy had surprised his kids while they enjoyed a quiet story time at The Goddard School in Chester, Virginia on Tuesday afternoon.

Slotnick’s return home was out of the clear blue — last year he had been deployed to Afghanistan, and he’s been serving there ever since.

“It makes you realize what a sacrifice it is, but as well, that we have the freedoms we do because of our military and our families,” said Maureen, Brian’s wife.

“I am just looking forward to some good family time,” said the soldier.