Guardsman surprises wife at marathon

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SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- A Texas National Guard sergeant says he surprised his wife at the finish line of a San Antonio marathon 11 months after the couple last saw each other.

Jonathan Gillis, 32, said his original plan to surprise his wife, Giselle, 27, at the finish line of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Sunday involved keeping his infantry company's early return from Afghanistan a secret, but he had to make his plan more involved when some of his colleagues posted about the week-early return on Facebook, the San Antonio Express-News reported Monday.

Gillis said he told his wife he would be stuck in Afghanistan for a few extra days to have his wisdom teeth removed and he kept a low profile after arriving in town Friday.

Gills said romantic surprises are his specialty. He said he proposed to Giselle during a skydiving lesson in San Marcos.

"I jumped out first, landed first and as she burned in, I dropped to a knee and popped the question," he said. "Of course, through tears of joy, she gave me a 'Hell, yes.' "