On June 1, Markus Hogue and his 12-year-old son Gabriel were treasure hunting on Padre Island, Texas, when they made an unexpected and heartwarming discovery. While searching for seashells, they stumbled upon what looked like a pile of waste. Gabriel initially thought the bottle might contain a treasure map due to its whimsical drawings of seahorses. “I was very surprised and very happy at the same time,” Gabriel said. “All the excitement was just rushing through.”

A Message Across Time and Space

Upon examining the bottle, Hogue, 42, discovered that the letter inside was written in Spanish, although the initial impression was that it was in German. The letter read: “I am sending you this message so that you know how much Mom and Dad love you. I love you, daughter, never forget it.” Hogue first assumed the letter was written for a daughter who had passed away. However, when he decided to text a phone number included in the letter, he received a response within ten minutes. To his surprise, the intended recipient, Keyla Collazo from Colorado Springs, replied and confirmed she was very much alive.

Collazo explained that her parents, who live in Waterbury, Connecticut, wrote the letter to her while they were on a cruise in Mexico last August. She wasn’t able to join them on the trip, so they threw the bottle into the river as a gesture of their love. “They told me that they threw a bottle in the river … but that’s pretty much it,” Collazo shared. “We didn’t think that it would get somewhere … It’s been a shock. Me and my kids are still talking about it.”

A Treasured Keepsake

Collazo graciously told Hogue and Gabriel that they could keep the letter. Hogue, touched by the gesture, said he would gladly return it if the family ever wanted it back. He is now working on getting the letter framed, along with pictures from their memorable beach trip.

The discovery has left a lasting impact on both families. “It’s a beautiful reminder of how small actions can create unexpected connections across time and distance,” Hogue reflected. The father and son’s find is not just a message in a bottle, but a testament to the enduring bonds of family and love. This heartwarming story serves as a reminder of the surprising and touching moments that can occur in our everyday lives, and how small gestures can carry profound meanings across great distances and time.