Joseph and Laura were both living and working in Austin in 2019. In December of that year, Joseph reached out to Laura on Catholic Match. After some talking, they agreed to meet at St. Mary's Cathedral after Mass and walk down to a nearby Indian food restaurant for their first date. They both had a wonderful time, and scheduled a second date soon after. Unfortunately life intervened and delayed their third date. Joseph's mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and he moved back to Katy to help support her and his family. Laura's family moved down to Lockhart in 2023, and she moved up to Santa Cruz, California to help support her grandfather. Joseph reached out to her via Facebook shortly after, and they reconnected over video chat. In September of 2024 Joseph came up to Santa Cruz to visit and make his intentions known. Family introductions were made soon after, and they spent the following Christmas and Easter together. Joseph asked Laura the big question while visiting her in Santa Cruz on August 9th, 2025, beneath "The Giant," the one Coast Redwood in Henry Cowell State Park.