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ESCANABA -- Military homecomings are always special, but they're even sweeter for families who are reunited just in time for the holidays.

And while most kids want toys for Christmas, one little girl in Escanaba wanted a soldier to come home...her 19-year-old cousin who is serving in the Army.

Chloe Allen had her seventh birthday this past weekend. But Wednesday, she got a birthday and Christmas gift in one present. Private First Class Brenden Bryant is her cousin, and he's home on leave from the Army. He surprised her in between classes at Webster Elementary.

“And this would've been my first Christmas away from everybody,” explains Bryant. “And it's great to be back and see everybody."

Sandra Allen is Chloe’s mother, and also Brendan Bryant’s cousin. She said his deployment has been just as difficult for the family back home.

“There were times when he's said, 'I’ll call you' this day and I wouldn't hear from him, and I would worry and not know that he was OK," said Allen.

She said her children and their older cousin are very close.

“I know she prays for him every night to come home safe. And I thought, what better of a surprise to actually have him surprise her," Allen said.

So what does little Chloe like best about having her cousin home?

“We play outside and go to the park,” said Chloe Allen. “He plays with me."

Bryant said his year-long deployment to the Middle East was the first time he'd been away from home and away from Michigan. But it was worth it.

“It's really fulfilling to serve your country and be overseas," Bryant said.

But there is one more present. He'll be home to celebrate his 20th birthday on January 5.

Bryant’s leave ends January 15 and then he'll head to Fort Bliss, Texas. He still has two-and-a-half years in the Army, but he is hoping to go to school after that and be closer to his family.