TAMPA, Fla. (BLOOM) – In December 2023, a Tampa family sent a tribute into the ocean — a message in a bottle containing the ashes of their beloved son Brandyn Dawson, a firefighter who had passed away 11 years prior.
They hoped one day someone, somewhere, would find it and honor their request. Nine months and 1,843 miles later, that hope became reality when a fisherman in Belize discovered the bottle and reached out to the family.
For Brandyn’s mother, Leigh Dawson, this connection is the latest chapter in a story of love, loss, and resilience.
Brandyn Dawson, a firefighter for Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, dedicated his life to helping others — a purpose ignited after witnessing the bravery of first responders on Sept. 11, 2001, while still in middle school. Inspired by those who risked their lives to save others, Brandyn worked toward becoming a firefighter, and after graduating high school, he earned a position at Station 24 in Lutz, Florida.
"He lived for the camaraderie of his fellow firefighters and loved cooking for them at the station," his mother shared. Outside of work, Brandyn was known as a passionate athlete, an avid “gym rat,” and a devoted friend. Tragically, on May 24, 2013, his life was cut short when he was struck by a car while riding his motorcycle. His firefighting colleagues attended to him in his final moments.
Since Brandyn’s passing, the Dawsons have celebrated his life in meaningful ways, including hosting an annual poker tournament and kickball games, events where his friends sported “DAWSONSTRONG” T-shirts and tattoos in his honor. The family also scattered his ashes at cherished destinations, from beaches and lakes to mountain retreats.
Then, inspired by a magazine article, the Dawsons conceived of an extraordinary idea: They would scatter bottles containing small portions of Brandyn’s ashes across the world’s waters. Each bottle contained a letter, a small bag of ashes, and an email address. “We knew one day, out of the blue, we would be contacted,” Dawson said.
Then, on Dec. 28, 2023, the Dawsons set one bottle adrift in the ocean between St. Lucia and Aruba, containing a letter and a small bag of Brandyn’s ashes. Nine months and 1,843 miles later, on Sept. 13, 2024, their hopes were realized in a way they never expected. A fisherman in Belize discovered the bottle and, to the family’s surprise, reached out the same day.
The fisherman honored the family’s wishes, scattering Brandyn’s ashes in the sea and sending images and videos of the ceremony, completing a journey that spanned not just miles but the shared human experience of connection and remembrance.
“It was very exciting,” Dawson said. “Another story to be told about our son, by a complete stranger whose life also changed.”
For the Dawsons, the fisherman’s decision to fulfill the message’s wishes is a reminder of the connections that transcend time, space, and circumstance.
After the discovery, the Dawsons and the fisherman exchanged emails, text messages, photos, and videos. They didn't get the chance to do a video call until Nov. 12, 2024.
“He asked that we give him plenty of notice so he can make arrangements, as he is a full-time fisherman,” Dawson explained.
In the video at the top if this article you can see the whole touching conversation.
When Dawson shared the story on social media, she was overwhelmed by an outpouring of love and support from friends, family, and strangers alike.
“There must have been 200 comments,” she said, highlighting the profound impact Brandyn had on those who knew him.
As the family continues their journey through grief, this connection offers them a rare moment of peace and joy. “On this journey of grief, my husband, daughter, and I are forever living. This is a positive thing we can be happy about,” Dawson said.
For the Dawson family, keeping Brandyn’s memory alive has been both a tribute and a path through their own grief. Over the years, they’ve embraced meaningful traditions to honor his life and the impact he had on those around him. From annual gatherings to spontaneous tributes on family trips, these moments have helped turn sorrow into celebration.
Each year on the anniversary of Brandyn’s passing — what they call his “angel day” — friends and family gather at the Dawsons’ home, bringing stories, laughter, and sometimes even a few tears. Leigh describes it as a time to “keep Brandyn’s spirit present.” They celebrate with a poker tournament in his name, where the winner receives one of Brandyn’s youth football trophies, paired with a bottle of his favorite beer. His friends, many of whom played on his kickball team, even had T-shirts made in his honor, boldly emblazoned with his image and the phrase “DAWSONSTRONG.”
For those closest to him, Brandyn’s memory isn’t just something to cherish. It’s a rallying call to live life with the same passion and strength he showed.
Family vacations have also become part of this journey. Whenever the Dawsons visit a new place, they bring a portion of Brandyn’s ashes, scattering them at beaches, mountains, and lakes around the world.
“We wanted him with us everywhere we went,” Leigh explained.
These quiet, reflective moments have helped them feel his presence as they continue to navigate the ups and downs of life without him.
Through these gestures, the Dawsons have turned their grief into a living testament to Brandyn’s life and legacy, drawing comfort and strength from these tributes.
“It’s been 11 years, and while the pain never goes away, these traditions have given us something beautiful to look forward to,” Leigh said.
As the Dawsons wait for news of other bottles floating in far-off waters, they find comfort in knowing that Brandyn’s story may yet touch new lives.
“It’s our hope that somewhere out there, people who never met him will see how much he was loved,” Leigh shared. “In this way, we’re sharing his legacy with the world, and that means everything to us.”
For the Dawsons, Brandyn’s legacy lives on in every life he touched—and in a single bottle, traveling the world as he did in life, bringing comfort and connection to those who encounter it.