A woman finds a romantic letter in a bottle washed ashore and tracks down the author, a widowed shipbuilder whose wife died tragically early. As a deep and mutual attraction blossoms, the man struggles to make peace with his past so that he can move on and find happiness.

This was the first message in a bottle found by Theresa (Robin Wright Penn). I loved the movie because it didn’t have the usual Hollywood ending of HAPPILY EVER AFTER. It was poignant and sad. More like real life.

Dear Catherine:

I’m sorry I haven ‘t talked to you in so long.

I feel I’ve been lost…
…no bearings, no compass.
I kept crashing into things, a little crazy, I guess.

I’ve never been lost before.
You were my true north.
I could always steer for home when you were my home.

Forgive me for being so angry when you left.
I still think some mistake’s been made…
…and l’m waiting for God to take it back.

But I’m doing better now.
The work helps me.
Most of all, you help me.

You came into my dream last night with that smile…
… that always held me like a lover…
…rocked me like a child.

All I remember from the dream…
…is a feeling of peace.

I woke up with that feeling…
…and tried to keep it alive as long as l could.

I’m writing to tell you that I’m on a journey toward that peace.
And to tell you l’m sorry about so many things.
I’m sorry I didn ‘t take better care of you…
…so you never spent a minute being cold or scared or sick.

I’m sorry I didn’t try harder to find the words…
…to tell you what I was feeIing.

I’m sorry I never fixed the screen door.
I fixed it now.

I’m sorry I ever fought with you.
I’m sorry I didn’t apologize more.
I was too proud.

I’m sorry I didn’t bring you more compliments…
…on everything you wore and every way you fixed your hair.

I’m sorry I didn’t hoId on to you with so much strength…
…that even God couldn’t pull you away.

All my love, G.

And this is his last message before he got into that shipwreck…In the end, was it too late?

Dear Catherine:
My life began when I found you…
…and l thought it had ended when l failed to save you.

I thought that hanging on to your memory was keeping us both alive.

But I was wrong.

A woman named Theresa showed me that…

…if I was brave enough to open my heart…
…I could love again, no matter how terrible my grief.

She made me realize I was only half-alive.

It scared me and it hurt.

I didn ‘t know how much I needed her till the night she flew away.

When that airplane took off, l felt something inside me tear away.

And I knew.

I should have stopped her.

I should’ve followed her home.

And now tomorrow, I’m going to sail to the windy point…
…and I’m going to say goodbye to you.

Then I’m going to go to this woman…
…and see if I can win her heart.

lf I can, I know you’ll bless me.
And bless us all.

lf I can ‘t…
… then I’m still blessed because I’ve had the privilege of loving…
… twice in my life.

She gave me that.

And if I tell you I love her as much as I loved you…
… then you’ll know the whole story.

Rest in peace, my love.

Garret.