Mary Horowitz is an eccentric and socially awkward crossword puzzle creator who lives with her parents in Sacramento, California. Despite her odd personality, Mary is intelligent and passionate about her work. When Mary’s parents set her up on a blind date with Steve Miller, a news cameraman, she becomes infatuated with him after their initial meeting.
Convinced that Steve is her soulmate, Mary embarks on a cross-country journey to track him down, despite the fact that Steve is not interested in her romantically. Along the way, Mary encounters various obstacles and comedic mishaps as she relentlessly pursues Steve, who is on assignment covering news stories.
As Mary’s pursuit of Steve becomes increasingly obsessive, Steve’s colleagues, including reporter Hartman Hughes, become concerned for her well-being. Despite their efforts to discourage Mary, she remains determined to prove her love for Steve.
Eventually, Mary’s relentless pursuit of Steve leads to a confrontation at a televised news event, where she publicly professes her love for him. However, Steve rejects her advances, realizing that they are not meant to be together.
Devastated and humiliated, Mary comes to terms with the fact that her obsession with Steve has caused her to neglect other aspects of her life, including her relationships with her family and friends. She decides to focus on improving herself and pursuing her own happiness, rather than fixating on finding a romantic partner.
In the end, Mary finds fulfillment in her passion for creating crossword puzzles and reconnects with her family and friends. She also forms a genuine friendship with Hartman, who admires her resilience and determination.
The film concludes with Mary embracing her eccentricities and embracing the journey of self-discovery, confident in the knowledge that true love will come when the time is right.