Berlin in the 60s. The construction of the Berlin Wall not only divides the city, but also separates the Rechlin family. While mother Ingelore lives with husband Hannes and the youngest son in the eastern part of the city, the young, married daughter Beate lives in West Berlin. Even when she gives birth to the first grandson, the newly baked grandma Ingelore cannot visit her. Travel permits are only issued one year later. But the formerly so tight family bond is burdened by the long separation. Son Bernd also avoids the rest of the family, as his new girlfriend has just been released from prison because of attempted "republic escape". And so Mother Ingelore almost has to watch her family shatter.

A mechanic, Peter Papenbold, is giving all his free time to volunteer in the children's sport school. When he's asked to switch to teaching permanently - it's a very difficult decision for him.

Jochen Hamann met Martina Schwarz during a stay at a health resort lasting several weeks. The two fell in love and continued their affair after the cure. This is, of course, much to the displeasure of Jochen's wife and Martina's husband. Renate Hamann and Michael Schwarz then form an alliance of convenience, so to speak, in order to separate the two again over time. But this is not as easy as initially thought. In the end, however, Jochen is the one who has to decide who he wants to live with in the future. Either with Renate or with Martina.