Ted and Lynn Murphy lead a simple suburban life. They have three wonderful children, their own small business, and good relationships with friends and neighbors. But that life is turned upside down when Ted signs a petition advocating traditional marriage. It is a small act of civic duty in his mind, but to others in their community it seems like an act of heartless bigotry.

While Sergeant John Tyree is home on two weeks leave from Germany, he meets Savannah after he dives into the ocean to retrieve Savannah's purse that had fallen off a pier. John eventually falls in love with Savannah, who promises to write to him until he returns from overseas.