“TODAY” Show Surprises West Haven Mom With Trip to Bahamas

One West Haven mom got the surprise of a lifetime on Friday morning, when Dylan Dreyer, of the "TODAY" show, showed up at her doorstep with tickets to paradise.

Aida Cordero, a bus driver, entered "TODAY"’s Hot Ticket contest for a trip to the Bahamas, hoping to escape the 45 inches of snow West Haven has gotten so far this season. The single mother of two said she has always had the vacation days, but has never had the money to use them.

“I really needed this,” Cordero said. “I haven’t been on vacation in five years and I do everything for my kids, everything.”

Cordero and a friend will enjoy three nights in the Bahamas, and she said the first thing she plans to do is put her feet up while enjoying a margarita on the beach.

More than 9,000 people entered the "TODAY" show contest. The first winner was in Buffalo, New York, the second was in Scituate, Massachusetts and Cordero was the third and final winner.

“I’m very emotional and just so appreciate of NBC and the 'TODAY' show,” Cordero said.

However, Cordero was not the only one to be surprised on Friday morning.

The "TODAY" show hosts surprised Dreyer with her own hot ticket too. After being on the road the last 23 days covering snow, they said she has earned it.

“I haven’t even processed it yet,” Dreyer said. “I just cannot wait to not answer my phone about when the next storm is coming and just enjoy every second of this.”

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