Love, of Course

The film begins with Amy Andolini, a helicopter parent and widow of six years, preparing her daughter Cara for her freshman year at Oregon College. Amy is so involved that she even tries to pack Cara's childhood stuffed animal, Mr. Hugsy, which Cara rejects. Upon arriving at the campus, Amy meets Noah Ferris, an agriculture professor who observes her struggle to 'hit the release button' on her daughter's independence. Amy's college friend Cheryl, the director of admissions, offers Amy a temporary position to save the school's Harvest Festival, which is facing cancellation due to poor financial performance. Amy accepts, much to the surprise of Cara, though they agree on boundaries to ensure Cara has her own college experience. Amy and Noah are forced to work together, but they immediately clash: Amy wants to add 'pizazz' like pumpkin bowling and corn mazes to increase revenue, while Noah believes the festival should focus strictly on local farmers and agricultural education. As they spend time together—visiting the Seaton family orchard and picking apples for a local shelter—their icy relationship thaws. Noah reveals he is a 'tumbleweed' who moves to a new university every few years to avoid putting down roots, and he is currently considering a prestigious position in Sydney, Australia. Meanwhile, Amy struggles with the idea of selling her family home in Los Angeles, where all her memories of her late husband reside. Their bond deepens when Amy falls ill and Noah brings her homemade chicken soup. Later, they successfully build a corn maze together and share a romantic dance and a first kiss after scouting a local singer, Chloe, to perform at the festival. However, a misunderstanding arises when the festival concludes. Amy receives a massive 'spec' offer on her LA house, and Noah receives his official offer from Sydney. Both assume the other is leaving Oregon for good. In the final moments, Cara encourages her mother to stay in Oregon and take a permanent job at the college. Noah realizes he doesn't want to be a tumbleweed anymore. They find each other in the corn maze using a game of 'Marco Polo' to locate one another. Noah reveals he turned down the Sydney job, and Amy reveals she is staying in Oregon. When Amy asks why he stayed, Noah replies, 'For love, of course.'