Hundreds of Siena College graduates walked across the stage at the TU Center on Sunday, in the first commencement of the season.

Few waited longer than Kelsey Wasson, who was 16th to last in the entire ceremony, with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

"I just kept thinking I was going to trip on stage," Wasson said.

Wasson was so nervous she did not notice our cameras following her every move.

"Just because it's Siena College, a news crew is kind of typical to see," Wasson said.

But it was more than that. A few weeks ago, Wasson's best friend Brooke Paddock got a call to help plan a surprise for her.

"I went and talked to the people who run graduation and it went from there," Paddock said.

But planning a surprise for Wasson was a lot of work because the best friends are inseparable. 

"He would always text me and be like, 'Are you with Kelsey?'" Paddock said. "So we always covered our tracks that way, so that was perfect, but most of the time I was [with Kelsey], so we'd have to find another time to talk."

All the secret phone calls and work Paddock did behind the scenes paid off. When Paddock scooped Wasson from the stage for a 'family photo op' Wasson had no idea what was in store.

Suddenly, a tap on her shoulder revealed her fiance, U.S. Senior Airman Jonathan (JJ) Himpsil. The pair haven't seen each other for several months.

"When I felt a tap on my shoulder I kind of figured that it was him," Wasson said. "And when I turned around, of course it was him, so I just got really excited. He told me he wasn't gonna come, he told me he was in Florida, so just seeing him was pretty awesome."

Himpsil is stationed with the Air Force in South Carolina. Wasson wasn't supposed to see him for another month, when the pair get another important piece of paper.

"We're getting married next month, so for him to fit this in his busy schedule already is just totally awesome, I love it," Wasson said.

And they'll soak up every minute they can.

"He's actually getting deployed so I'll be here kind of doing my own thing until he gets back," Wasson said.

For now, Himpsil is planning how to one-up this surprise with another at their wedding.

"You gotta top this now. How are you gonna do it?" Wasson teased.

"I'll tell you right now, easiest way, buy her a puppy," Himpsil said.

Wasson says she has a few job interviews lined up, the couple had plans to spend the day with family celebrating her graduation.