Young Celina Pike works as a schoolteacher in a small rural settlement near Chicago. She inspires her students to follow their dreams, no matter how unattainable they seem—but she is forced to sacrifice her own for raising her son Dirk, whom she affectionately calls “Big Guy.” Growing up, Dirk shows interest in architecture, but, to his mother’s disappointment, gives up his hobby for more profitable work as a broker. However, when Dirk finds true love, he begins to wonder whether he made the right choice and what truly matters in life.