A man was willing to sit through six exhausting flights if it meant being close to his little girl during Christmas. What would dads not to do make their daughters happy?
Christmas is a special time for families to come together and celebrate. While many get to enjoy a break, some people, like doctors, nurses, firefighters, police, military officers, and flight attendants, have to work. They’re in essential jobs and can’t be with their families during holidays. It’s tough, but someone has to make sacrifices for the greater good.
In December 2018, Delta Air flight attendant, Pierce Vaughan was scheduled to work on Christmas day and the day after. She was also booked to work on six flights each day. How much tighter could a schedule get?
Hal Vaughan, Peirce’s dad, didn’t want his daughter to be alone on Christmas. In a really loving dad move, he booked a seat on each of Peirce’s flights so he could be with her. Sitting through one flight can be tough, but imagine doing it for six in a row! Mr. Vaughan didn’t mind. Even though he’s not as young as he used to be, he used his savings to be with his baby girl.
He traveled across the United States on planes during the holidays just to be with Peirce. And you know what? He said he’d do it all over again for her.
Pierce and Hal melted millions of hearts
The heartwarming story was shared by Mike Levy, a passenger who was on a first-class trip from Fort Myers, Florida, to Detroit, Michigan. He struck up a conversation with Hal and was shocked to find out why the man was flying to Detroit. Detroit hadn’t been his destination. He was right where he needed to be, on that plane with his daughter.
Levy got a selfie with Hal and took a photo of Pierce. With their permission, he uploaded their story onto Facebook and it went viral in a few days. Thousands of people were awestruck by the love between the caring father and his daughter.
“I had the pleasure of sitting next to Hal on my flight back home,” Levy captioned his post. “His daughter Pierce was our flight attendant who had to work over Christmas. 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!”
According to Levy, Hal had a serious injury from falling off a tree earlier in the year. It must have been tough for him to stand at airports and go through lines for so long.
“He is still recovering from a neck injury from earlier in the year, which had left him quadriplegic for a period,” Levy wrote. “This was his first trip since the accident. I was amazed and thought he was such a phenomenal father for going well out of his way to be with his daughter.”
In the spirit of the season
In a later interview with the New York Times, Hal explained why he couldn’t let his daughter spend the holidays by herself. “I just felt terrible thinking about her spending her first Christmas alone, even though she’s 25.” Pierce may be all grown up and independent, but she’s still his little girl.
Pierce was excited at how viral their story had gone so quickly. She shared Levy’s post with the caption: “Dad’s first trip using his benefits was a success! 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). [Shout-out] to Mike Levy for being a great first-class passenger & helping us to understand how cool this actually is!”
During this season of love and family, everyone should be with their loved ones. Hal’s incredible story teaches us a lot. He was ready to do whatever it took to be with his daughter, even though she had to work and couldn’t be with her family.
You can do something special for someone you love too.