Frosty, the decorative snowman stolen earlier from a Chilliwack home, will spend Christmas with his family.
It’s a bit of a mystery what happened since the snowman was plucked from a local family’s doorstep last week.
Here’s what we do know.
A woman arrived at The Progress on Monday afternoon with Frosty in the back of a black pickup truck.
Eureka!
It was the wicker snowman, the beloved holiday decoration that disappeared from the Eng family home in Chilliwack. Chaos and sadness ensued after Frosty was nicked, so they created a Facebook meme, and the search for Frosty across social media was officially on.
Fast forward to this week.
Frosty gets dropped off at The Progress office. He was a little worse for wear, but wholly intact.
But how did this happen?
Well, the woman who dropped him off told Progress staff that her daughter had found the five-foot-tall snowman in pieces, in an alley. They had brought him home, and set him up on their front step.
They then read The Progress story on the front page Friday, and realized he had been stolen. Oh no! The horror. They were in possession of a hot snowman!
Not wanting anyone to think she was the heartless Grinch who stole it, she hastily brought the large snowman to The Progress so it could be reunited with its rightful owner.
The Eng children, Kayden and Aya, were thrilled to see their old holiday favourite.
A family friend had already replaced the stolen Frosty with another similar snowman. But it wasn’t the same and they wanted the original back. It was antique looking, made of a brown wicker frame, lit up with little white lights. He has a springy orange nose and was one of a kind.
“Now Frosty has a friend,” said Aya.
Despite his misadventure, Frosty’s mechanical arm still works.
The Dec. 12 story recounted the sad tale about the kids and the loss their beloved Frosty after the family was “Grinched.”
They even made a police report.
“Our kids just want the snowman back,” Katrina Eng had said, especially her seven-year-old daughter.
And now they’ve got it.
The Engs say their Christmas spirit has been restored — along with their faith in humanity. They are very thankful.
“I’m amazed that it was found after someone read it in the newspaper.
“It shows there are good people out there.”
Her husband, Rob, said it was heartening to know that folks took the time to make sure Frosty was returned to them.
“It’s just awesome. We don’t feel so Grinched anymore!” he said.
The plan is to secure him even better this time.