The story begins in a small town, where Sam (Matthew Broderick) works as an astronomer and enjoys an idyllic life with his childhood sweetheart Linda (Kelly Preston), who works as a school teacher. Linda wants more experiences than can be offered in their small town, and moves to New York City for what is promised to be a short amount of time to work a teaching fellowship. Instead of returning home, she forwards Sam a 'Dear John' letter stating that she is staying in New York. He leaves almost immediately for the city, convinced he can get her back.