Chock Chapple proposed to Joan Vassos in the show's Nov. 13 finale and tells PEOPLE he found it "very tough" to hide the engagement from friends

“Golden Bachelorette” Joan Vassos has some new bling on her left hand. The inaugural lead of the ABC show helping seniors find love concluded her season by giving Chock Chapple her final rose, who proposed to her with a Neil Lane ring. Vassos — a school administrator who has four children and two grandchildren — …

It’s official. Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos is engaged to Chock Chapple. For weeks, it’s been clear to fans Joan’s final pick would be Chock. But it wasn’t so obvious to one person: Guy Gansert, who Joan sent home prematurely during the final episode in light of a “connection” with Chock.