darlene that we would have lost. >> reporter: it was july 11, 2007. the ger hearts and the ewalts were out to dinner when chet popped the question. would darlene and todd like to join them on a caribbean cruise. the fun would set sail in october, the busiest time of year for todd, the dedicated football coach. darlene didn't care. >> was she over the moon? >> oh, yeah, she wanted to go. >> reporter: how about you? >> it was turning football season. i couldn't. >> reporter: todd explained his football schedule demanded he be on a sport field, not a ship deck. he politely turned down the offer. >> she wasn't expecting that to come out of his mouth. it was football season, okay. but you can miss it. just this time. you can miss it. it's a week. >> reporter: if darlene was hurt, she didn't show it. she made up her mind to go on the cruise without todd. she was still thinking about it the next night as she sat on her back patio. at around 10:00, todd came out to say good night. >> i just opened the door and said to her, hey, i'm going to bed. >> reporter: mm-hmm. >> she said i'll be up