The movie is based on the book of the same title by Janice Woods Windle. The movie covers the time from the revolution in Texas to beyond the civil war. Sarah (Dana Delaney) is the head of the family. Euphemia (Tina Majorino) is her younger sister whose friend Georgia (Rachel Lee Cook) she has been living with on in Georgia. After a death in the family, Euphemia goes to live with Sarah. Georgia and her start writing to each other. The movie is about their friendship and what happens in both their lives and takes place over a long period of time. Both go through several life changing events.