For the Fleming sisters, Christmas was expected to be tough this year.
Their father, Major Paul Fleming of the U.S. Army, told them he would not make it home this year since he was serving overseas in South Korea.
The girls told their father they would wait for him to come home before they opened their presents.
One of the girls, six-year-old Riley Fleming, wished for a Furby this year for Christmas. But most of all, the girls wanted a chance to see their father.
On Friday, all three sisters had their wish come true.
Major Fleming returned home and surprised his daughters as they had a visit with Santa at the Oak Park Mall. Tears, hugs, and kisses filled the occasion.
It was a moment they will never forget.
“It was a hundred times better than what I had hoped for,” explained Laura Fleming, the wife of Major Fleming. “A hundred times better. It was magical."
Maj. Fleming has served in the Army since 2003.
He will be home for the next three weeks before heading back to South Korea.
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Tom Dempsey can be reached at tom.dempsey@kshb.com.
