The story begins seven years before the main events unfold. We meet Travis Shaw, a charming southern gentleman played by Benjamin Walker, who has a casual relationship with a woman named Monica portrayed by Alexandra Daddario. One fateful night, Travis encounters his new neighbor, Gabby Holland, acted by Teresa Palmer, when she confronts him about his loud music and the antics of his dog, Moby, who has allegedly gotten her dog, Molly, pregnant. Unlike other women, Gabby appears immune to Travis's charms, a fact that is not lost on his sister, Stephanie, played by Maggie Grace.
Gabby is a dedicated doctor, while Travis assists his father, Dr. Shep, in their veterinary clinic. Their father-son bond is evident, especially as Shep, portrayed by Tom Wilkinson, notices the unmistakable chemistry brewing between Travis and Gabby. At a fair, Travis awkwardly encounters Gabby with her boyfriend, Ryan, played by Tom Welling, leaving him visibly annoyed.
As time passes, Travis and Gabby forge a deep friendship, often sharing trips to the lake with friends. He supports her during an important moment when Molly has her puppies while Ryan is away. Their budding connection deepens at church where Shep preaches, reflecting on the loss of his wife. One evening, during a visit to Travis's house to discuss the puppies, their banter evolves into undeniable attraction, culminating in their first kiss and lovemaking.
When Ryan returns from his trip, Gabby goes back to him, leaving Travis heartbroken. He confesses his love to her but realizes their complicated situation. Gabby writes Travis a letter explaining that she has told Ryan about their affair, which leads to Ryan proposing to her after a heated argument. In a poignant moment, Monica acknowledges Travis's feelings for Gabby, encouraging him to pursue what he truly desires.
Determined, Travis seeks Gabby's parents' blessing to propose. They embrace him as a potential son-in-law, yet Gabby's thoughts remain unvoiced. In a fervent moment, Travis proposes with Gabby's grandmother's ring, and after some hesitation, she agrees.
The couple marries and welcomes two children over the subsequent seven years. However, as Travis becomes consumed by work, he misses some crucial moments, including a date night that ends tragically with Gabby's car accident, plunging her into a coma. Faced with the heart-wrenching decision of whether to take her off life support, Travis is overwhelmed with fear at the prospect of losing her.
Frequent visits to Gabby remind him of his unwavering love for her, with support from Stephanie and their father. In a moment of serendipity, a trip to their lake house brings him clarity, leading him to rush to the hospital where he discovers Gabby has awakened. Their reunion is tender as he kisses her, reaffirming their bond.
To make amends for his past absences, Travis sets up a romantic outdoor dinner. In a touching exchange, Gabby reveals that she heard every word of his heartfelt declarations, which includes a lighthearted comment about how their meeting was serendipitously initiated by Moby's antics. The film culminates in a peaceful scene where Travis and Gabby take their children to the lake, gazing up at the moon—a silent testament to their enduring love.
