Their story begins at a small family clinic in 2018. Toi was working as a Medical Technician, and James was new to the company. He was assigned to work at Toi's clinic to train on procedures. As they worked together, James decided to pursue Toi. He started to discuss work policy on coworkers dating; he even looked it up in the handbook! Soon after, what was supposed to be two coworkers getting drinks, ended up being their first date. James had originally moved to Kansas City to create a home for his son, Lucas. He did not expect to find a partner in life, who would eventually become a part of that home. Toi had already been living in Kansas City for 7 years after graduating from Park University. She made many friends during her time here; James would eventually come to know them as friends as well. After meeting each other's families, it became easier to envision their futures together. They realized they were destined to be together, and so began their journey.

After possessing the ring for a year and a half and Toi derailing the plans twice, James finally realized the proposal would need to be on the fly. The original plan included a park, a musician, and her friends holding up a 'Will You Marry Me Sign.' However, the actual proposal went like this.... James came up with a story about how the Chiefs had won, and there was to be a private fireworks show near the World War I Museum. He told her that he wanted to take her and Lucas out to a local restaurant they both like, but not too fancy to tip her off. After dinner, he drove up to the WWI monument and realized the temperature had dropped about 30 degrees since earlier that day but proceeded to press on. Toi kept asking why nobody else was there for the fireworks show, and again he explained it was a private show that his sister told him about. With his nerves a mess and a folded paper in hand, he convinced Toi to brazen the cold, and they walked to the monument. As Toi was still worried about the fireworks show, James got down on one knee and read off his profession of love and asked her to marry him. The first words out of Toi's mouth was "NOOOO!" - so confused, and very cold on one knee, James was wondering what just happened. Toi explained she didn't mean "No;" that its her go-to surprise reaction. Relieved, James placed the ring on Toi's finger. Toi was crying and Lucas didn't understand why and was telling Toi "You gotta marry my dad, Toi! Why are you crying? Please marry my dad!" So then Toi explained that they were tears of joy. They quickly headed back to the car because it was freezing at this point. All the drive home she kept looking at the ring, saying "Are you sure?!"