Two sisters thought they were just visiting Santa Claus at their Texas high school when they recently got the surprise of a lifetime and saw their military father for the first time in 10 months.
Orlando Vasquez had just returned home from Germany when the idea struck him, CNN reported Friday.
“I just actually flew in last night and the kids don’t know I’m actually here, so I thought this would be a good surprise,” Vasquez said.
Video showed Vasquez fully dressed in Santa garb and acting the part as his two young daughters disclosed their holiday wish list.
“Kyra said, ‘Dear Santa, I can’t wait til Christmas because it’s my favorite holiday and sometimes you make our wish come true. My number one wish is for my dad to come home from Germany,’” Vasquez recounted.
After both girls said they hoped to see their father again soon, Vasquez unveiled himself to the delight of his daughters and onlookers.
“I thought I was dreaming and I was really happy,” Vasquez’s daughter Kyra told CNN.
It’s unclear when their father will have to return to Germany, but until then his daughter Kaylie says she looks forward to doing “a lot of things with him before he goes back.”
And Vasquez couldn’t agree more.
“It’s definitely had its toll being in the military, being away from family. But, you know, having a close family like ours and good friends, I mean, it makes it all worth it in the end,” he said.
CNN contributed to this report.
