Marine husband surprises wife at college graduation

HAVERHILL, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Marine Jareth Harkins wasn't supposed to be at his wife Melissa's graduation, but he secretly flew home to see her, surprising her on the stage just as she was called up to receive her diploma from Northern Essex Community College.

"I am just shocked," Melissa said. "I am absolutely, completely shocked."

The pair met in a public speaking class at the college, though Jareth was shy and didn't work up the courage to talk to Melissa until their last class of the semester.

The rest, they say, is history.

The couple got married this past February. But several days later, Jareth was on a plane to boot camp. He is stationed in Virginia.

One of the college's deans gave Melissa's diploma  to Jareth so that he could be the one to hand her her degree. Jareth graduated from Northern Essex last year, receiving a degree in criminal justice.

Cox Media Group