Jessa Duggar is almost like a debutante; she’s making her appearance into the social world. The only difference is that she’s not alone.
“19 Kids and Counting” stars, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar announced their 20-year old daughter’s courtship with Ben Seewald, 18, of Hot Springs, Arkansas. He is about three and- a- half hours from the Duggar home in Tontitown, Arkansas, Yahoo OMG! said.
Their romance really isn’t your average love story, but it’s normal for the Duggar clan.
Jessa and Ben met through their church, which is how they got to know each other.
What makes this blooming romance so atypical is that all of their interactions are monitored by her parents.
“With dating, a couple will often pair off alone and that sometimes leads to a more physical relationship,” Jim Bob said in an interview with People magazine.
The physical aspect of Jessa and Ben’s relationship is very limited. They hug when they greet each other or when they’re leaving, and that’s only a quick 30 seconds or less.
“Jessa and Ben have said that was the only contact they would have. If an engagement comes about, they will work together on their goals and standards for that.” Yahoo OMG! said.
There is somewhat of a modern feel to the couple’s relationship; they do text each other. However, those interactions are monitored by Jim Bob and Michelle, too.
“It has been fun to watch them and both of our phones are going off back and forth, ping, ping, ping,” said Michelle in her conversation with Yahoo OMG!
Their conversations are generally faith-based, relating to questions about theology and scriptures.
Ben has made an impression on the family because he gets the seal of approval not only from Jessa’s parents, but all 18 of her siblings as well.
If viewers of the TLC series remember, the eldest Duggar, Josh, started courting Anna and they saved their first kiss for their wedding day–something Jessa and Ben plan to do. Josh and Anna got married in 2008 and now have three children.
Jim Bob explained that he wanted to make sure there were no red flags with a young man that was pursuing his daughter, and he sees none with Ben.
