Operation Super Secret Santa Surprise was a go at the Chapel Hills Mall in Colorado Springs on Wednesday afternoon. U.S. Navy Corpsman Stephanie Hook got to make a grand entrance to make sure her family’s Christmas is one to remember.

Stephanie has been been away from her husband and family since June. Chapel Hills Mall employees played the elves to get this picture perfect moment ready for her three young children, 8-year-old Hayden, 5-year-old Sophia and 3-year-old Hannah. Since being in the Navy, Stephanie has missed holidays and birthdays with her family like many service members.  

This Christmas was not a holiday she was going to miss with her husband Andrew and her children. She got her leave approved and then Operation Super Secret Santa Surprise got a green light. Stephanie called the Chapel Hills Mall management and told them that her husband, her Dad, Daniel Shoup, and her children would be there to talk with Santa.  

Santa figured out that mom in a gift box would be a unique way to present the kids with a holiday gift that no one would ever forget. Santa opened the box with Stephanie in it, her kids rushed to hug and kiss her and make this a moment in the Christmas history books for the Hook family.

Stephanie Hook will be home until the end of December and then, will report back to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio.