Based on the Nicholas Sparks book of the same title, the film opens with Theresa Osborn finding a message in a bottle while relaxing on the beach. Inside is a touching love letter to Catherine. Theresa, being a reporter, publishes the letter and, with the help of her freinds, tracks down the letters author. The author turns out to be Garret Blake, a shipwright who, after losing his wife Catherine, now lives with his father.

The two fall in love, but Garret cannot seem to move beyond his beloved Catherine and the new relationship becomes shaky.