After the tragic death of his wife, an architect from Chicago, Sam Baldwin, moves to Seattle with his young son, Jonah, in an attempt to escape his grief and start anew. Despite the beautiful new surroundings and his efforts, Sam struggles deeply with his loss, finding it hard to move on. His son, witnessing his father's ongoing pain, believes that his dad needs someone new to bring happiness back into his life. One night, Jonah calls in to a national radio talk show, sharing the story of his father's sadness and longing for a new partner. Unbeknownst to Sam, this call sparks nationwide interest and sympathy, drawing the attention of many women who wish to meet him and fill the void in his heart. Among the listeners is Annie Reed, a journalist from Baltimore, who feels inexplicably drawn to Sam’s story.

Annie, despite being engaged to someone else, finds herself captivated by Sam's story and struggles with her feelings for a man she has never met. Her fascination with Sam's plight leads her to make decisions that surprise even herself, embarking on a quest driven by a feeling that they are meant to be together. Meanwhile, Sam continues his life in Seattle, unaware of the impact his son’s radio call has had and the chain of events it has set into motion. As Annie's and Sam’s paths begin to converge, they must both navigate the complexities of fate, love, and the possibility of starting over.