Maria (Julie Andrews)’s Timeline and Summary

Maria is just about the happiest girl you could ever meet . . . except that her bubbly personality isn't quite meshing with folks at the abbey where she's studying to become a nun.
To help Maria sort out her priorities, the Reverend Mother sends her to work as a governess for Captain von Trapp's children.
Turns out, Maria not only helps the children, but helps overhaul Captain von Trapp's stern and distant 'tude toward the kids.
Maria teaches the children to sing, and the captain is grateful to her for bringing music and joy back into their home.
Maria and the Captain realize they have feelings for each other. At first, Maria is freaked out and runs back to the abbey.
The Reverend Mother encourages her to explore her feelings, so she returns to the family. Maria and the captain discover their love for each other and get hitched.
Unfortunately, the von Trapps return from their honeymoon to find the Nazis have invaded Austria and taken over. Captain von Trapp has been "given" (read: ordered to take) a position in the Nazi navy.
Because Captain von T. has zero interest in living life under a Nazi regime, he and Maria flee Austria with the children, singing at a music festival as a ruse to elude the Nazis.