While they are not part of the waves of Syrian refugees expected to make landfall in Canada in the coming weeks, three Syrian families landed in Calgary on Monday night to begin their new lives.

The familes, made up of 16 men, women, and children, have been going through the refugee process for more than a year, with most of them going to live with their family members who are already long-time Canadians.

All of the familes have been privately sponsored, and came through Lebanon where they fled the fighting in the Syrian civil war.

They will all be enjoying a lot of support to get settled in the city, and many of them told the media that it's been years since they've seen the family that sponsored their journey to Canada.

"It's a day that I have been waiting for more than a year and half to happen," said Terez Khazaka, who welcomed her relatives.

A number of other Calgarians greeted the families as they arrived at the airport to welcome them to the city with open arms.