Normalized data models are beneficial for applications that require both read and write optimization, as they allow for dynamic access to data from multiple documents through joins. However, NoSQL databases often sacrifice native support for normalized models due to their distributed storage architecture, which can lead to slow and inconsistent joins. This complexity is pushed to developers and applications, resulting in higher latency, risk, cost, and consistency challenges. Fauna's unique document-relational engine addresses this limitation by providing efficient, low-latency joins, enabling optionality in data models and supporting features such as native reference traversing, optimized document storage, limitless & enhanced indexes, schema enforcement, computed fields, and server-side functions. By adding joins to NoSQL databases, developers can achieve fast, efficient, cost-effective, flexible, and secure infrastructures that meet the needs of modern applications.