John and Savannah continue their relationship through letters , and John visits her in her hometown to meet her family while on a future leave . John and Savannah makes plans to start a life together after John is discharged from the army in December 2001 . However , when the September 11 attacks occur , John chooses to re-enlist with his team . Their time apart start as weeks and turn into months and years . Savannah begins to spend more time with Tim , and decides that she wants to work with autistic children ; she plans to build a farm and horse stables where they can enjoy the outdoors and animals . Over the next two years , John and Savannah 's romance continues through their letters . One turns out to be a literal " Dear John " letter , in which Savannah breaks up with John , saying that , while she still loves him , she has developed feelings for someone else - she does not reveal that the " other man " is Tim . In a fit of anger , John burns all of Savannah 's letters
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Dear John (2010 film)