Man discovers heartbreaking note in bottle washed up on beach

"I'm hoping maybe ... the world can see the love in one fifth grader's heart."
 By 
Chloe Bryan
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Steve Mershon made an unexpectedly poignant discovery on the beach last week.

The 54-year-old Indialantic, Florida man was enjoying a lovely morning near his seaside home when he discovered the seaside treasure of all seaside treasures — a message in a bottle.


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The message was a heartbreaking note from a fifth-grader named Jonathon to his best friend, Daniel, who according to the note, had recently passed away.

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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

"I'm really sorry that you pass away," the note reads. "And if you were alive me and you will be playing football, soccer and basketball with Mathew, Oscar and Brandon.

"You were my best friend," it continues, "and our favorite song was [Disney Channel star] Austin Moon and I hope you fun [sic] with Jesus."

Mershon was so moved by the note that he posted a response to Jonathon on Facebook. "Jonathan, your bottle, with your letter to your best friend, is the most beautiful thing I have ever found," he wrote.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

In the post, Mershon also announced his plan to drop the bottle back into the sea during an upcoming cruise he plans to take. But first, he'll add a note of his own — so whoever finds the bottle next finds double the treasure.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

"You're a good man, Jonathon," Mershon wrote. "I'm hoping maybe ... the world can see the love in one fifth grader's heart, and we can, one by one, all get along."

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Topics Facebook

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Chloe Bryan

Chloe was the shopping editor at Mashable. She was also previously a culture reporter. You can follow her on Twitter at @chloebryan.

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