Catherine is now married to young firefighter Caleb Holt (Cameron). On the job, Caleb lives by the motto "Never leave your partner behind", forcefully impressing this dictum on the men in his fire crew. But his marriage with Catherine (Bethea) is suffering and she wants a divorce. Differing life priorities have led their marriage to a breakdown. She complains that he is addicted to internet porn; she views his saving money for the boat of his dreams as selfish, believing the money should be used to provide her ailing mother's medical equipment. Caleb feels respect from everyone except his own wife, who he says does not value him.
Caleb's father John challenges him to commit to a 40-day "Love Dare" (a real-life Christian devotional program designed to strengthen marriages, also written by the film's writer, director and producer team of Alex and Stephen Kendrick.) Caleb apprehensively agrees to try it, and begins following the program in an attempt to win Catherine back. But she doubts his sincerity, suspecting his real motive is just a ruse to obtain a better divorce settlement. She sees Caleb's acts as half-hearted, like the inexpensive flowers he buys her. Caleb learns, though, to hold back from blowing up in anger or insulting Catherine to her face.
Frustrated with her coldness, but with John's encouragement, Caleb continues on the plan. His close friend Michael (Bevel) encourages Caleb to become a born-again Christian. He illustrates the together-yet-different nature of a healthy marriage through salt and pepper shakers he has glued together. Caleb may try to pull them apart, but if he does, the contents will break one or both of them in the end.
At the hospital where she works, Catherine begins flirting with the friendly Dr. Gavin Keller (Perry Revell), and tells him of her mother's