In 2030, Ted tells his children the story of how he met their mother, beginning back in 2005 with Marshall and Lily’s engagement. Ted, eager to find his soulmate, meets Robin, and sets his sights on marrying her.

Ted throws a party in hopes of seeing Robin again, but when she doesn’t show up, he throws another party…and another. Meanwhile, Lily’s heightened libido prevents Marshall from getting his work done.

Barney’s plan to meet girls at the airport backfires as he and Ted are picked up by airport security, and Lily gets jealous when Robin monopolizes the male attention at their girls’ night out.

Ted reconnects with Natalie, an old flame, and soon remembers why he dumped her in the first place. Meanwhile, Barney pays Robin to say outrageous things on the air.

Robin, Ted, and Barney go to a hot new club, leaving the engaged Marshall and Lily to a more adult, albeit boring, evening of wine tasting.

Halloween hijinx are afoot as Ted makes his annual trek to the same lame party in search of a girl he met there years ago, while Robin joins Marshall and Lily for a double date.