TACOMA, Wash. — A father was reunited with his two daughters Sunday after they asked Santa Claus to bring him home.
Brooklyn, 9, and Rachel Christensen, 8, have not seen their father, Lt. Jeffrey Christensen, in nine months. He has been serving in Afghanistan.
On Sunday, the two girls visited Santa at the Tacoma Mall, and getting their dad home for Christmas was at the top of their wish list.
Both wanted to surprise the girls during their Santa visit.
Rosi Christensen learned last week that her husband would be home for Christmas, and Lt. Christensen flew in Saturday night.
After the two girls made their wishes, Lt. Christensen came out to surprise them.
“I miss you two, do you know how much I missed you two? I love my babies” said Lt. Christensen as he hugged his daughters.
Because of overseas deployments, the Christensen family has been together just five of the last 26 months.
“When I deployed, my wife and I talked about doing something special for the girls. Surprising them a bit. I think we accomplished that mission,” said Lt. Christensen.
The Christensen family took their family photo with Santa after the reunion.
“It’s going to be an awesome Christmas,” said Lt. Christensen.