When Daleville basketball’s La’Jash Fils-Aime’ stepped up to the free throw line Friday night on her birthday against Dothan, the last thing she expected to see was her father.
Fils-Aime’s father, Elvin Fils-Aime’, has been stationed in South Korea since August of 2016.
As she approached the free throw line, she saw her father walk into the gym and burst into tears at the ultimate birthday present.
“I was shocked,” Fils-Aime’ said. “I couldn’t believe it because it’s been almost two years since I last saw him.
“I didn’t know whether to continue to shoot my free throws but my emotions overcame me and I really didn’t have any control of what to do but cry.”
Daleville coach Zach Kelley called it a special moment not just for Fils-Aime’, but everyone in the gym that night.
“It was such a special moment,” Kelley said. “Everyone was hugging each other and crying. Even the Dothan coach came over and greeted (her father). The game completely stopped for a couple of minutes.
“Again, it was a special moment. It’s really hard to put into words.”
Fils-Aime’ gave her sister credit for planning the birthday surprise and said that it meant everything to her.
“It meant a lot to me, because I thought he forgot about my birthday,” Fils-Aime’ said. “He was the one person I wanted to hear from first. He was late telling me ‘happy birthday’ that day, so that made me think he really did forget.”
Fils-Aime’ said that he was able to keep it a surprise and the surprise aspect made it all the more special.
“When he did tell me ‘happy birthday,’ he was mentioning how he was having to miss yet another birthday,” Fils-Aime’ said. “So, for him to show up, it lifted me up and made my birthday feel completed having my parents, my granddad and all my siblings there celebrating with me.”
Fils-Aime’ said that she has a special bond with her father.
“I’m a daddy’s girl,” Fils-Aime’ emphatically said. “We have an understanding of each other. He’s like my twin.
“He’s the one I go to for everything, no matter what it is. I know he has an answer for everything.”
That surprise will certainly be one Fils-Aime’ and her entire family never forgets.
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