Texas father and son find message in bottle, surprised by discovery – Davidson News

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 shells, they came across what looked like a pile of trash. Gabriel first thought the bottle might contain a treasure map because of its fanciful drawings of seahorses. “I was very surprised and very happy at the same time,” Gabriel said. “All the excitement was spreading.”

A message across time and space

Upon examining the bottle, Hogue, 42, discovered that the letter inside was written in Spanish, although the first impression was that it was in German. The letter read: “I’m sending you this message to let you know how much Mom and Dad love you. I love you, my daughter, never forget it. Hogue initially assumed the letter was written for a deceased girl. However, when he decided to send a text message to a phone number included in the letter, he received a response within ten minutes. Much to his surprise, the intended recipient, Keyla Collazo of Colorado Springs, responded and confirmed that she was indeed alive.

Collazo said his parents, who live in Waterbury, Conn., wrote him the letter while they were on a cruise to Mexico last August. She couldn’t join them on the trip, so they threw the bottle into the river as a sign of their love. “They told me they threw a bottle in the river… but that’s about it,” Collazo said. “We didn’t think it would come to anything… It was a shock. My kids and I still talk about it.

A precious memory

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 wanted it back. He is now working on getting the letter framed, along with photos from their memorable trip to the beach.

The discovery 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 said. The discovery of father and son is not just a message in a bottle, but a testament to the enduring bonds of family and love. This heartwarming story reminds us of the surprising and touching moments that can occur in our daily lives, and how small gestures can have profound meaning across great distances and time.