It's 1925 in rural Oklahoma. A na ve seventeen-year-old Mattie chooses to elope with Jesse, leaving behind an ideal life with her wealthy and loving family. With hope for a happy future, she vows to stay with her husband through good times or bad, but the wonderful life Mattie dreams of is shattered by Jesse's abusive nature and his refusal to allow her to see her family. When Jesse's brother, Joe, brings home his new wife--the vivacious Ella--Mattie believes Ella is living the life Mattie prays to have with Jesse. As the years grow harder and Jesse and Mattie's growing family struggles to survive The Great Depression, The Dust Bowl and illness, Jesse's abuse worsens. Life also unravels for Ella and Joe as he begins to abuse his wife. Ella makes the choice that Mattie has never considered. Will Mattie keep her vow to stay with Jesse at the risk of her own life and the life of her children or will she leave him despite the vow?