TAMPA, Fla. — Santa Claus granted a wish for two children when they asked for their father to return home from a deployment.
Jaxon and Jase, ages 7 and 5, asked Santa to bring their dad home.
Their father, Petty Officer First Class Caleb Taylor, has been deployed to Bahrain for the past eight months. He serves in the United States Coast Guard.
"They've been talking about wanting daddy to come home and who better to bring him home at Christmas then Santa," said Jennifer Taylor.
The marketing team at Westfield Citrus Park arranged for the surprise to happen at its shopping mall in Tampa.
Santa gave the two children some candy canes and told them he had a special delivery.
"Anytime that package is going to open," said Santa. "Okay, lets see if Santa brings the magic home. Is anybody special in this package?"
The boy's father jumped out of a cart covered in wrapping paper.
Petty Officer First Class Caleb Taylor arrives home for Christmas. He surprises his sons at Westfield Citrus Park. pic.twitter.com/Bm14rFZ887
— Julie Salomone (@JSalomoneTV) December 10, 2019
"Priceless. Priceless," said Caleb.
"I said can you bring daddy home early?" said Jaxon.
Caleb's family has bounced around in Texas before moving to Florida. He has served in the U.S. Coast Guard for the past 18 years.
Caleb's wife received help from her parents with the children while he has been away.
"It's a big transition for me and also them because they had to go down to sharing my time. It was very difficult trying to be in two places at once because they both wanted quality time," said Jennifer.
Jennifer Taylor said she is overwhelmed to see her family back together again.
"It's really, really sweet and amazing. It shows you how much they missed him. They really missed him," said Jennifer Taylor.
"It's the best day ever," said Jaxon.
