This is the touching moment two brothers got their Christmas wish in Santa’s Grotto – when they were reunited with their serviceman dad.
Chris Gibson, 36, had been in the Falklands for four months serving with the RAF and sons Declan, 11, and Connor, seven, didn’t know when they’d see him next.
An adorable video shows them visiting Father Christmas, where the youngest confesses all he wants on December 25 is to have his daddy home.
Santa tells Connor if he ‘wishes really hard’ his dreams might come true – and seconds later Chris walks into the grotto for an emotional reunion.
The surprise was organised by mum Abby, from Gloucester, and took place at Drayton Manor Park’s Magical Christmas attraction.
Proud Abby said: ‘All I’ve wanted is a hug from Chris and today was the most magical experience. I couldn’t be happier for us all to be reunited once again.’
Chris added: ‘I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time. I was very nervous waiting to see them.
‘When I saw the boys in with Father Christmas my heart was racing. I’ve missed them so much and when Abby started crying, I started crying.
‘It was extremely emotional and I can’t tell you how happy I am to be home.’
Chris has been in the RAF for 16 years and has been married to Abby for eight years after they met while working abroad in Cyprus.
Declan, 11, and Connor, seven, visited Santa in the grotto in Drayton Park and Connor wished that his serviceman dad Chris Gibson, 36, could be home from the Falklands for Christmas
Dreams come true: Santa said he could not bring his dad back but told him to wish very hard and magic could happen. Their dad then walked through the door and hugged the boys
Happy family: Talking about his plans for Christmas, Chris said: ‘I’m not sure when I’ll have to return to the Falklands so we’re planning to make the most of every second as a family’
Last year they moved out of married quarters on barracks to buy their first home together in Gloucester.
During his latest deployment Chris has missed Declan’s first day at senior school, Connor’s first day at junior school and his wedding anniversary.
Abby added: ‘The kids had no idea. They knew that their Dad was coming home at some point in November but I never told them the exact date as I wanted it to be a surprise.
‘Chris has been away for such a long time so I did feel nervous in the run up. Now he’s back it’s just amazing.’
Talking about his plans for Christmas, Chris said: ‘I’m not sure when I’ll have to return to the Falklands so we’re planning to make the most of every second as a family.
‘We’re going to relax in front of some classic Christmas movies, enjoy our tradition of baking cookies and mince pies on Christmas Eve and of course track Father Christmas before bed.’