A Long Island soldier returned home Saturday to surprise his family.

Staff Sgt. Samuel Rodriguez, of Freeport, made secret arrangements to surprise his family this holiday season. He sent them to a Santa brunch at the Carlton in East Meadow.

His wife, Maryneily, and children, 5-year-old Sebastian and 1-year-old Samarah, had no idea Santa would work so fast when they told him what they wanted for Christmas.

Rodriguez spent nine months serving overseas in Afghanistan, and sent his family an itinerary that said he would not be home until next month. He says the surprise worked perfectly.

Rodriguez gets to spend Christmas, and the next two weeks, with his wife and kids before returning to Afghanistan. He says they will spend the next few days surprising the rest of the family with his holiday homecoming.