Mona and Kenneth Sorenson are approaching the best years of their lives. Ken is days away from retiring after a successful career as the dean of students at Stone University, and Mona's biggest concern is keeping him from finding out his surprise party. They're looking forward to traveling, occasional fishing trips with the grandchildren, and limitless hours in the garden. It's what they deserve after years of careful planning.

But suddenly, everything changes when they get the call from their son, a special forces officer in the Army, who is being deployed immediately to Pakistan. Since his wife walked out on him and their two children, 9-year-old Mellie and 6-year-old Jake, his only option is to ask his parents to assume guardianship. Stepping back into a role they thought was behind them, Mona and Ken will need to find a way to embrace a second half that they never anticipated.