DENISON, TX - Most kids see braces as a nuisance and even painful. But for one 12-year-old boy, they're all he's ever wanted. Maddie Garrett has the story of one Christmas gift that came early for this middle school student, and how it could change his life.

Coleman Holloway was overwhelmed this morning when he was pulled out of class at B. McDaniel Middle School in Denison.

At first he thought he was in trouble, as he walked into the office to find his parents waiting for him.

But instead the Holloways were surprised to find the entire Stokes Orthodontics staff waiting in the hallway to give him the gift of free braces.

"Very happy for him, proud for him, it's something I wish I could have done for him without help,” said his mother, Kim Holloway.

Coleman is the first kid to be chosen from the Smiles for a Lifetime foundation to receive the free orthodontics.

"It's going to change his life I think it's going to be life changing and that's the goal of this foundation,” said orthodontist Dr. Lisa Stokes.

An independent board reviewed many applicants and picked Coleman based on his financial and medical needs. Coleman has lived almost all his life without two front teeth.

"He has two front teeth that are growing out at you rather than vertically, so it's going to require a combined effort between the dentist, myself and the oral surgeon to get the teeth in,” explained Dr. Stokes.

Stokes says this is the greatest gift she could ever give, and one that is dear to her heart.

"He was me growing up, I mean my two front teeth when they came in were both completely sideways and so I know exactly how he feels and I feel it for him," said Dr. Stokes.

And for a bright, outgoing kid like Coleman, a smile to be proud of has only been a dream – until now.

"This is the best Christmas gift I could get ever," said Coleman when he found out Thursday morning.

"[I’m] Hugely excited, very overwhelmed, very grateful,” said his mother Kim.

Dr. Stokes estimates all of the orthodontic work will cost around $8,000, which will paid for entirely out of pocket by Stokes Orthodontics.