Tyler explained the flight’s length, weather conditions and, as always, made one of his bad jokes.
The passengers laughed.
Mason was delighted.
Until Tyler changed the tone.
Before I leave, I would like to do something a little different today.
I slowly lowered the phone.
“There’s a very special person on this plane,” Tyler continued. A person who means absolutely everything to me.
Mason opened his eyes.
“Dad knows we’re here!” he whispered.
I smiled.
I thought I finally discovered our surprise.
But Tyler continued.
“Exactly eight years ago, I met the person who changed my life forever.
My smile disappeared.
Mason looked at me.
Tyler kept talking.
“That person is not sitting next to me in the cabin. He can't hear me directly. But I know that, somehow, he's here with me today.
I felt a knot in my stomach.
The card was rejected... but what he saw on the receipt completely changed the appointment.
Who was he talking about?
Then he said:
“My mother passed away eight years ago, a few days before my first flight as a commercial pilot.
The whole plane was silent.
Mason stopped smiling.
Tyler continued:
“She was the one who taught me that dreams are of no use if you don’t have the courage to pursue them. When I was a kid, I used to be told that I would one day take hundreds of people through heaven.
He paused.
“Today, every time I take off, I think of her.
I felt my eyes fill with tears.
Then Tyler said something we would never forget.
“Mom, if you can somehow listen to me, I want you to know that I did it.
Mason took my hand tightly.
“Mom...
I'm here.
But something was still missing.
Tyler took a deep breath.
“And today I want to thank the person who helped me become the man I am. My wife.
I stood completely still.
Mason opened his mouth.
“Mom!
