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CLARKSVILLE, Tennessee — Shoppers at a Tennessee mall witnessed Christmas magic when a young girl was reunited with her soldier father — with help from Santa Claus.
Jordynn Baskerville climbed on Santa's knee last week, ready to whisper her greatest Christmas wish.
"I want my daddy to come home," she told St. Nick.
Jordynn's father, Sgt. Trent Baskerville, had been serving in Afghanistan for the past 10 months, according to Today. While the 6-year-old's mom knew their soldier would be joining them for Christmas, she planned to surprise her daughter with an elaborate plan involving the big man himself.
The couple told Jordynn that her dad would make it back sometime after her visit with Santa. That didn't sit well with their daughter.
"Every time we Facetime, she would say, 'I want to ask Santa if he can bring you home early,'" Baskerville told Today.
Jordynn's mother, Chrisha, contacted the mall several weeks ago to orchestrate the surprise. When the day arrived and Jordynn made her way to see Santa, she had no idea her dad was hiding behind a stack of presents next to Santa's chair.
St. Nick told Jordyn to close her eyes and, when she opened them, her wish had come true — her father was standing in front of her, ready to give her a hug.
"I started tearing up from the moment she started talking to Santa," Chrisha Baskerville told Today.
Onlookers cheered as the family embraced. A video of the reunion has more than 328,000 views on YouTube.
"It was the greatest feeling ever to have her run into my arms. And the look on her face was unreal," Trent Baskerville said. "I don't think there's anything that can top this moment. At least that's what my daughter keeps saying."
