Two-year-old Harper Koerschgen missed her chance to meet Santa Claus, but that didn’t stop the big man from making a personal visit to her own home after mom reached out. He even brought his wife, Mrs. Claus.
It was Saturday, Dec. 7, the day Santa Claus was in town, so it was going to be a big day for the Koerschgen family’s two little girls, but an emergency situation put an abrupt stop to those plans.
Hailey and Thomas Koerschgen began dressing their two little girls, Harper and Pyper, for the event, expecting to take photos with the jolly man and creating a fun memory to be cherished. As they prepared to leave, the family dog injured Harper, sending her not to the big red chair but, instead, to the emergency room.
Hailey Koerschgen explained that Dakota has been a long-time family pet and always treated Harper gently, laying his head down to watch her sleep next to her bassinet, or letting her cuddle up tight to him.
“He’s been a great companion and ‘momma dog,’ as we would call him, and he truly loved our girls, especially Harper,” she said.
As was custom, Harper prepared to give Dakota a hug and kiss before leaving the house that day, but “something changed” and the dog, “completely out of character,” ended up attacking the little girl.
Instead of visiting Santa that day, Harper ended up visiting the doctor in the emergency room. She received four stitches in the lip, three under her eye and three on the bridge of her nose. Harper is healing nicely, Koerschgen reported.
Still, the two girls missed their chance to see Santa that day, but little did they know that their mom knew how to reach the red-flocked couple. During the off-season, the couple, who wish to remain anonymous, are disguised as regular people, but in December they become the most famous North Pole couple known to mankind.
Mrs. Claus said they became Mr. and Mrs. Claus about five years ago when a friend asked if they would dress up and visit her kindergarten class.
“We agreed and had a blast,” she said. “It wasn’t long before we were asked again by someone else. Next thing we knew, we were booking appointments at daycares, private homes, company parties, and assisted living places.”
Learning that the Koerschgen girls didn’t get to visit Santa on that Saturday, they made a special visit to their house for a nice holiday season surprise.
“When Santa came to the door, (Harper) welcomed them in and was a little shy, but then warmed up, showing them her favorite pets and sharing her grapes and raspberries,” Koerschgen said.
When the ice melted, Harper was ready to take a picture and talk their ear off before giving both Mr. and Mrs. Claus a hug and walking them out the door while holding Santa’s hand.
“I believe a tragic event that happened to our family turned into hope and inspiration, a story leaving my girls with their spirits lifted and knowing all will be okay,” Koerschgen said.
The Claus’ said they “thoroughly enjoyed” visiting the Koerschgen family and their two cats, adding they feel blessed and privileged to be a part of peoples’ Christmas season. The best part of being Mr. and Mrs. Claus, they said, is “the kids, the smiles, the giggles, the squeals” and the ‘thank you’ from parents.
“But ultimately, it’s showing the love of Jesus to someone who needs to know they are important,” Mrs. Claus said.