We are all gathered here thanks to Anthony McCoy, who was responsible for the connection between Tatum and Joel. After meeting at the McCoy wedding in Tucson, Joel knew that he wanted to get to know Tatum better. He pestered her for weeks before Tatum agreed to give him a chance. Tatum then regretted this choice because she got her butt kicked at mini-golf on their first official date. As a consolation prize, Joel took her to Olive Garden afterwards and he has been spoiling her ever since.

Joel Purchased the ring on April 10, 2019, and picked it up from his family's jeweler on July 4th. Over the next few months he went and got the approval, and blessing of Tatum's close friends and family. Tatum's family has a yearly vacation to Coronado Island, and she LOVES the beach. Joel brought the ring with him when he joined in on the second half of their vacation, and hid the ring in the apartment. Early Friday morning when Tatum and Joel went sea shell hunting on the beach, he brought the ring with him. Tatum's mother (DeAnna) and sister (Aubrey) were aware of the plan and came with us to take pictures of the beach, or so Tatum thought. While looking for shells, Joel went ahead on the beach and while facing away from Tatum knelt down, taking the ring out. He called her over to look at something he found. When Tatum arrived she discovered the ring case open and then Joel asked her if she would marry him. She was surprised and said "yes!" but the surprises did not stop there. Joel had also made reservations at a restaurant at the Hotel Del Coronado, and while the two ate there DeAnna and Aubrey moved an overnight bag to the room he had reserved there as well. They ate, had champagne, and then retreated to the room at the hotel she had always wanted to stay in. The two had a day they would never forget!