The widowed, single-parent pastor Anja has a silent admirer in Herbert. But then she falls in love with Jochen.

The committed village priest Anja Schneider is extremely popular throughout the community. Although she has had to look after her two children Mareile and Kai on her own since the death of her husband, the attractive woman has not lost her zest for life. She just doesn't feel ready for a new relationship - much to the chagrin of Herbert, a friend of her husband's, who is there for Anja whenever she needs help. Herbert has been in love with Anja for a long time and he hopes that she will return his feelings one day. But then Jochen Hofmann shows up in the village again after years of absence. His grandfather, with whom he had a falling out, has suffered a heart attack and now Jochen wants to look after his farm. From the first time they meet again, Anja feels attracted to the much younger Jochen. She campaigns for Jochen, a trained musician, to get the job as director of the church choir. 16-year-old Kai observes his mother's budding relationship with the young man with suspicion and jealousy - he had already prepared himself for Herbert as his future stepfather. When Anja, initially hesitant, begins an affair with Jochen, she tries to keep the relationship a secret. But despite all caution, it doesn't take long before the whole community gets wind of the affair. But it's not just the neighbors' gossip that is bothering Anja: Herbert, deeply hurt in his feelings, withdraws from Anja, and Kai also turns his back on his mother. He moves in with his "dream father" Herbert. Finally, the time comes when Anja has to decide: between her sense of duty as a pastor and mother and her great love for Jochen.—ADR Das Erste