One Delta Airlines flight attendant experienced a "Christmas miracle" when her father booked six airline flights so he could spend the holiday with her.
Like many unlucky employees, Pierce Vaughan wasn't fortunate enough to get the holidays off work in December of 2019. As a flight attendant, she instead spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day on several Delta Airlines flights, miles away from home.
Pierce could have easily spent the holiday without seeing a single family member in person. But her dad, Hal Vaughan, had another plan in mind. He took a whopping six plane trips so that he could be on every one of Pierce's flights during Christmas.
A fellow passenger, Mike Levy, met Hal on one of his flights, and he shared the story on social media, where it brought a tear to thousands of eyes.
"That is the cutest thing I've ever heard!" one commenter wrote.
"What a thoughtful Dad!" wrote another.
It certainly wasn't a traditional Christmas for Hal and Pierce — but the two spent it together, and that's what matters.
This is Pierce Vaughan. She's a wonderful flight attendant with Delta Airlines, and this year, she had to work on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Such a bummer we know!
This means that while many folks were on flights home to their families on Christmas Eve, Pierce was on those same flights helping passengers and sacrificing her own family time.
To Pierce's dad, Hal Vaughan, the idea of his daughter spending Christmas without her family was unconscionable.
He decided to book multiple plane flights so that he could spend Christmas with his daughter in the sky.
Mike Levy snapped a photo with Hal when he was seated next to the dad on a Christmas Eve flight.
"I had the pleasure of sitting next to Hal on my flight back home. His daughter Pierce was our flight attendant who had to work over Christmas," Mike captioned the photo on Facebook.
"Hal decided he would spend the holiday with her. So, he is flying on each of her flights today and tomorrow around the country to spend time with his daughter for Christmas. What a fantastic father! Wish you both a very Merry Christmas!"
Mike told USA Today that Hal had booked a total of six plane tickets. That's six takeoffs, six landings, and God knows how many airplane snacks in lieu of Christmas dinner.
Mike's post about Hal received a lot of attention on Facebook, so Pierce reshared it on Christmas Day to update everyone on how the trips went.
Flying six times in two days — on Christmas, no less — is no small feat even for a passenger!
"Dad’s first trip using his benefits was a success!" Pierce wrote.
"A special thanks to all of the patient, wonderful gate agents around the country and my perfect crew. He made it on every flight and even got first class RSW-DTW (Christmas miracle)."
That's right, this impressively caring dad got bumped up to first class on one flight.
The story has since gone viral on Facebook, with 34,000 shares and counting — probably because it's so dang cute!
Commenters are touched by how hardworking and well-loved Pierce clearly is. And they're impressed by what a sweet father Hal is. Would your father do the same thing for you? Probably not!
Indeed, these two make an adorable father-daughter duo and it's safe to say that Pierce got one of the best Christmas gifts she's ever received before. Time well spent with her devoted father.
And, as some commenters pointed out, kindness and family are what the holidays are all about and this precious story perfectly exemplifies that holiday spirit in such a lovely way.
And regardless of whether or not you celebrate Christmas, it's hard not to get choked up at happy stories like this one that showcases true family devotion and love of family above anything else.
Because sometimes, enjoying family time is easier said than done. Work, budgets, kids, and drama can all get in the way.
But Hal's journey shows that where there's a will, there's a way — even if it means you have to endure the dreaded holiday travel experience times six.
Delta Airlines released a statement on the story, per NBC Chicago:
“We appreciate all of our employees for working during the holidays to serve Delta customers, and love seeing this awesome Dad having the chance to spend Christmas with his daughter — even while crisscrossing the country at 30,000 feet.”
