Years after achieving his dream of becoming a pilot, Jerome Lawrence surprised his mother on his first flight back to the Caribbean island of Tobago, since he didn't get the chance to do it with his father, who died on Christmas Day last year. "I always wanted to fly with my mom and my dad as a pilot, because they were the ones that were there for the dream. They were there for everything, so it was always a goal to do that," the United Airlines pilot told "Good Morning America." So the 34-year-old decided not to wait any longer to take his mother, Gwendoline Lawrence, 62, "back" home -- especially since he had lost his father, John Lawrence, four months earlier. With the help of his airline's employees and fellow pilots, the plan came together on April 30, and it was captured in a video that he shared on Instagram, which you can watch above. On board Flight 2353 from Houston to Port of Spain, Trinidad, Jerome Lawrence made an announcement: "This is a special moment that I'd like to share with you guys. We have a very special lady here -- she's in first class -- that's my mom," he said, adding that it was his first time flying with her and that she hadn't been back to the Caribbean islands in 17 years. "I can't express how much it means to me to share this moment with you guys. We've come a long way. My dad was supposed to be on this flight, but he decided to fly higher than all of us. He's up there with the other angels watching over us," he said, before asking the parents on board to "continue to push your kids to do whatever they want to do." "I wouldn't be up here flying you guys if it wasn't for the support of my mom and my dad," he explained. Gwendoline Lawrence admitted that she "had no idea" about her son's plans, recalling that her husband used to meet her at the airport. "This was the first time in all the years of traveling [that I was alone], so I was very emotional," she said. Jerome Lawrence went on to praise his father, who he said was a "gentle giant," and credited him with helping him achieve his dream. "I probably wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for his support. And that's why flying with him was always such a big deal, because I wanted him to see [what I had become]. ... He provided so much for us and I hope that one day when I have my own family, I can replicate that in some way," he said. Also Read: Couple caught stealing "archaeological" artifacts from US park (Portuguese version)