Wednesday, August 13, 2014

A Duggar Love Letter (and More Updates)

The Duggars are enjoying a relaxing week at home in Northwest Arkansas, where the weather is in the mid 80s and sunny. Check out these photos to see what the super-sized clan has been up to:

 Jennifer Duggar, Jordyn Duggar, and Josie Duggar

 Joy-Anna Duggar and Johannah Duggar

Jonathan Hartono (friend of the Duggars) with Jedidiah Duggar and Jeremiah Duggar

playdate
 Jennifer Duggar with friend Emma 

mother-daughter lunch date
 Michelle Duggar and Jessa Duggar enjoy a mother-daughter lunch date

 Josie Duggar and Jordyn Duggar

Duggar courtship
A love letter that Jessa Duggar received from boyfriend Ben Seewald,
along with a gift of pearls
In case you can't tell from the picture, here is what the love letter says:

My Dearest Jessa Lauren,
These elegant pearls looked quite majestic when I picked them out. However, they were a bit lonely... What good are such beautiful pearls if not to have the grace of being worn by one so elegant and majestic as yourself? These pearls were lonely...just like I am when we're apart; but not anymore! I love you my precious princess! 
Your Man,
Ben

89 comments:

  1. So sweet....I so remember those types of days....My husband and I have been married 33 years in November! We still have those days. Put the Lord Jesus first and all things will follow perfectly after that. I hope you both get engaged then marry and have a wonderful life together.
    God Bless you both,
    Kelly Rex

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  2. Wow how much more wonderful could that love letter have been. And that bracelet is so beautiful. Jessa has a great man.

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  3. The kiddos are getting so big. I hope Michelle is blessed with one more. Thanks for the update Lilly and Ellie~blessings to you.

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  4. Michelle and Jessa's lunch looks so yummy

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  5. Prediction of things that will happen by December '14:
    1. Jessa will be engaged.
    2. Anna will be pregnant
    3. Jill will be pregnant
    4. Michelle will be blessed with a "miracle" child or will adopt.
    5. Jana, John, or Jinger will began a courtship or all 3.
    6. A major change will happen with the family.

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  6. so what is that letter staying. they will never be apart. I am very surpiresed Ben would write a letter like that since they are not married yet. seems it should be written for a wife.

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    1. I think it's because Ben moved to the same town as Jessa that he says "just like I am when we're apart; but not anymore"

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  7. Can't we take Ben and Jesse out from under the microscope? I'd like to hear about Jana, John David, Jinger, and Joseph.

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  8. Cute pictures!!!:) I just can't believe how grown they all look........Super cute love letter that Ben wrote for Jessa! I hope that there's a Duggar wedding in the near future, Michelle needs some more grandbabies to love on. Thanks Lily and Ellie! You are both a blessing and I really appreciate what you do:))))
    ~Alina

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  9. Ben is so sweet!!!!!

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  10. What I don't understand is, how can international "friends" like the Hartonos afford the plane fare and such an extended stay in this country? The Duggars also seem to travel the earth like it's taking a local bus. Doesn't add up. Why are the Hartonos at the Duggars so often? Who are they and who are their family? Where are they from?

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  11. How cute for Ben to write Jessa a love letter!!! I really hope God can help Ben decide that he needs to propose to Jessa!!!

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  12. Very sweet. But IMO shouldn't that be kept personal? Seems like the other pics, which I very much enjoyed, were added to cover what this post was really meant to be about. Those nice family pics should have their own title.

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  13. In the last picture... is the letter a sign of an upcoming marriage? I hope so because they're such a cute couple and they compliment each other very well. And the picture of Jonathan, Jedidiah, and Jeremiah is quite funny.

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  14. That is so sweet! I hope she keeps that letter as one day it will be more precious to her than the pearls. I love when a man takes the time to put down on paper his deepest feelings for his sweetheart. I have been married over 30 years & have several love letters from my husband when we were dating. They are precious to me & a reminder of our young & tender budding love for each other. We have been through a lot since those letters were written. God bless young love, God bless us all.

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  15. I love all the pics, keepem comin:-):-):-) Especially nice to see more of Jennifer lately.Just got done watchin reruns this morn, and now I'm counting down the days:-):-):-)

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  16. Lily or Ellie, several posts on the comments section are not getting posted, and they are definitely not in poor taste, they are not asking anything inappropriate, and they definitely are not rude or even negative--though several comments listed lately have surprised me. Have you updated your guidelines for filtering comments recently? I have wondered if comments posted under anonymous are being excluded more often than those posted under an active profile name. I have commented a few times before any comments are listed and after 3 or 4 updates and 70+ comments, my comment has still been left out. This has been especially noticeable after Jill's wedding. I know you probably have to filter through hundreds of comments, but can you maybe update us fans on your posting guidelines, perhaps I have inadvertently done something wrong. Though by the other comments posted, I cannot see how that is even a possibility. Thank you kindly!

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  17. Cute pictures!! The mother/daughter lunch date looks fun and awww, what a sweet love letter!!! :D

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  18. WOW! He's super romantic!

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  19. Fun pics of the fam. The letter was kind of awkward to read; not sure why Jess would want to share it???

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  20. See how her ring finger isn't visable in any of the photo's....

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  21. Awww! Ben is so sweet! The kids are growing up way to fast. Thanks so much Lily and Ellie

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  22. Wow! Nice handwriting! Does he write that neat all the time?! Letters like that should be kept in a special place. I saved all the letters and cards that my hubby gave me when we were courting. There's something to be said about handwritten love letters... more than text/email, and some intuited. Messages in this way are more deliberate, even if written on a sheet torn from a notebook. For one thing, only on a letter can you spray perfume or attach on a homemade, handpainted craft...

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  23. I love the pictures - all of them.... God Bless Jess & Ben. I wish to both of them all the best.

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  24. That love letter is so sweet!! My heart just melts!!

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  25. I'm sorry....but Ben did not write that. He must have had one of his sisters write it out and perhaps help with the flowery wording. I am sure his heart is behind it, and he means it. But, come on!

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  26. So Ben has been browsing around in jewellery stores. I was told not to receive a nice gift from a man if I was not serious about his affections too. Oh the rituals of courting!

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  27. The boys are always doing the moustache thing in pictures, funny!

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  28. that is so sweet.

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  29. It is nice how Joy Anna is in between everyone. Sometimes she is in a group with the older four girls and sometimes she is with the younger four girls, then she is a tom boy with all the brothers or a fair princess with all the brothers around her! What a neat position to be in. The girls are all pretty.

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  30. How sweet! The pearls are beautiful, and I didn't know Ben was so poetic! ;) That was very, very sweet!! Looks like the Duggars have been having fun recently! :)

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  31. very child like. what about work ?

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  32. Oh my goodness! That is the cutest thing i have ever read!!

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  33. Jordyn is so funny in the first pic, Johannah and Joy look a lot more alike than i realized, and that letter from Ben is so sweet!

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  34. Wow, is that a sappy letter. :) I think it's cute how Ben is the romantic one, and Jessa is the one who's having to learn how to respond to that.

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  35. That's so sweet from Ben Seward

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  36. They don't label the kids plates anymore? Or is that just at dinnertime?? Just wondering...
    Joy looks so much like Jinger!
    Ben is sweet but Jessa is so pretty she does not need any jewelry

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  37. Looks like Jessa gave up her three week diet early.

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    1. No she ate salad. She made a plan to follow whole 30 for 3 weeks and a decision to eat the same breakfast and lunch. Just because she ate a different lunch doesn't mean she gave up.

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  38. OH MY GOSH THAT IS SO INCREDIBLY SWEET! How darling :)

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  39. The love sure shines through the Duggars. That was sweet of Ben to give Jessa those pearls. They seem to really love each other. The younger Duggar girls are just precious. Michelle and Jim Bob you have such a beautiful family.

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  40. OH MY GOODNESS THAT IS THE SWEETEST THING EVER!!!!!!! THEY SO HAVE TO GET MARRIED!!!!!!! Quite the poet, that Ben! And great handwriting too!

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  41. That is so sweet and romantic, I'm gonna cry.

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  42. Awe Ben is so romantic. Makes my heart melt. :) I hope I can find someone like him! Jessa is blessed <3

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  43. I agree with Anonymous #6 and Anonymous11, don't know why that letter was shared.. love the photos of the family, Johannah certainly has her daddy's eyes..

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  44. First of all, those are not natural peals. They are costume from Kohls, around $35.(Not on sale)
    I would like to know how many paper plates and cups that family throws away given a 7 day week with 3 meals a day each, snacks, and paper bowls used for scrambling eggs? Can't they buy a closeout on a decent set of restaurant dishes, glasses, forks and knives? What justified using Styrofoam cups and paper plates exclusively as this "thrifty" family does?

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  45. That letter from Ben is the sweetest thing ever! I hope my husband will be that sweet and love Jesus! Jessa you are one lucky girl!

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  46. Joy Anna's eyes are totally gorgeous! I love Ben's sweet note - think I would about pass out if that was written to me! ;)

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  47. I hope to see a Duggar wedding soon Ben and Jessa are such a great couple.

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  48. My parents have been married for over 50 years. I would never read their love letters while they are still living. It is a private part of their romance. I feel the same way about the letters my husband wrote me over 30 years ago. I am sorry but I sometimes wonder if this couple is the Christian version of the celebrity couples that seem to always want attention in their love life. And as far as courting goes, the argument for not giving away your heart seems so very silly with the ongoing affections being publicly display with the Duggar girls.

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  49. That letter reads like a school boys crush.I can see how the young girls think its romantic, but really its a tad mushy for a mature woman, not romantic ,but a little immature.You can tell how much he loves her though.Surprised she didnt keep it private.It seems that the only Duggar family members that can be on social media is if they are married or engaged or courting, i wonder why?Jana an JD seem mature enough to handle it.

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  50. I fear that the social media pressure is getting to Jessa , she is getting very thin.Usually pre-wedding jitters is also a reason why lots of woman lose weight before the wedding.I just hope she stays healthy.

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  51. The letter from Ben was so sweet and give Jessa the pearls were was very sweet.

    Pictures of the other kids are wonderful too.
    Jessa having lunch with her Mom was nice as well.

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  52. The love letter is very sweet. And all the little Duggars are getting so big! :)

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  53. Oh wow! All the pictures were so cute but the one of the love letter.......my heart almost skipped a beat!! Ben is soooooo romantic and chivalrous! I am so glad he and Jessa have such amazing relationship!

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  54. She didn't quite her 3 week diet, as told by Jessa herself, she didn't eat the bread shown in the picture!

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  55. We have seen so many great pictures of the older girls and this is such a treat to see pictures of the little girls! They are so cute and full of personality. I think Ben is a good guy. My husband bought pearls for me before we were married, so I think it is awesome. Ben has a tender heart and he is doing his best to let her know he loves her. I think he will ask her soon. I am excited for the new season to start.

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  56. Wow, that lunch looks SO good!! I wonder where they were eating? :) :)

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    1. The Green Bean. Where they took Jill on her birthday in a past episode:-)

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  57. What cute pictures! The love letter from Ben is so romantic! I am sure they are very happy together! The pearls Jessa is wearing are very pretty!

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  58. Thanks for the update! Ben is such a sweet guy. Maybe Ben will purpose to her on their 1 year anniversary. That would be so cool.

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  59. Cute pictures and how sweet of Ben !!!
    - Brittany :)

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  60. Cute how the sun is shining playfully on Michelle's face and making her countenance sparkle! Especially interesting is the light on her nose; I bet that little mother nose is really curious about Jessa's relationship reports.

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  61. With mom could Jessa look anymore sweet, innocent, pure, gentle, meek and mild, bless her heart!

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  62. Ben's letter is yet one more reason why this relationship is troubling. It appears to have been written by a woman, and a young one at that. Ben needs a few more years of actual life experiences before he should even consider marriage.

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  63. I am so proud of Josh. The Duggars raised an amazing man.

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  64. Michelle and Jessa's lunch looks very tasty. The kiddos are getting so big.

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  65. @AnonymousReally? What makes him "sweet"?

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  66. A lot of wonderful pictures and thank you for sharing.
    Ben's letter obviously had some help from a female someone younger and I am concerned about the pet name. I am sure his heart is in the right spot however Ben shows yet again how he must mature with actual life experiences before considering a commitment as serious as marriage. I wonder if the family recognize flags that keep popping up by the average viewer? For Jessa sake I certainly hope so. She is a lovely girl that needs time to grow and guidance.

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  67. I agree with #53.....maturity goes a long way and both need a lot of it...don't rush into anything that will make it harder later..Mom and Dad Duggar should not be in a hurry to unload another daughter.

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  68. @Anonymous

    Hi Anonymous 11,

    Jonathan and Jennifer Hartono are a brother-sister pair from Southeast Asia. Jana and John-David met them during a mission trip they took in 2010. The Duggars opened their home to the Hartonos when they came to the US as foreign exchange students, and they now consider Jonathan and Jennifer to be like family.

    Blessings,
    Lily and Ellie

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  69. @Anonymous

    Hi Anonymous 18,

    Our standards have not changed, and we still moderate every comment we receive. Feel free to email us a copy of your next comment (duggarfamilyblog@gmail.com) and we will respond with a written explanation of why we do or do not end up posting it. :)

    ~Lily and Ellie

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  70. I loved the pictures it fun to see the kids growing up. I love the bracelet Ben bought Jessa. I would have not shared the letter but that is just me.

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  71. @Lily and Ellie Just wondering if you know how old the Hortono siblings are? Maybe Jennifer H. is old enough for a pairing with JD or Joseph.That could be interesting:-)

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  72. Ben isn't hanging out in any jewelry stores. That "pearl" bracelet isn't natural pearls, as I saw that bracelet in Kohl's for $35 regular price. Sorry to burst your bubbles out there, but it's a costume piece that anyone can purchase.

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  73. I just read on people.com that they are now engaged-- the story just broke.. wonder how quickly this wedding will come together the other one happened pretty fast after the engagement.. my guess is before the holidays they will tie the knot. any thoughts?

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  74. @Anonymous

    Of course he wrote it...he's proved himself a hopeless romantic in pretty much every episode! :) Besides, he doesn't even live with his sisters.

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  75. I just read online this morning from Bustle (according to US Weekly), that apparently Jessa and Ben are offically engaged! Lilly and Ellie do you know anything about this...is it true?:)

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  76. According to People Magazine, Jessa and Ben are officially engaged. Check out the link: http://www.people.com/people/mobile/article/0,,20843769,00.html

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  77. Congratulations to Jessa and Ben. I'm looking forward to hearing about the date for the wedding and all the upcoming preparations. Our family hasn't had a wedding in 20 years! How wonderfully God has blessed these families. So much joy and happiness.

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  78. I've noticed none of my comments ever get posted why

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  79. Anonymous 79' so what they aren't real pearls,the fact that he bought them and thought of her is enough besides you can't tell by a picture where he bought them or how much they are!!! True gifts of love come from the heart not the pocket book

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  80. @Marilyn yaeger

    Hi Marilyn,

    It took us a bit of time to read through all the comments we have received about the engagement, but we did post yours. :)

    Blessings,
    Lily and Ellie

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  81. Love letters are so sweet!!! What a wonderful example! I try to speak encouraging & loving words and be gentle & caring with my husband, and it is SO refreshing to see another couple talk to each other the way that I believe, God would have us to speak to each other as a couple! <3 Megan - newlywed, Charlotte, NC

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  82. anonymous #5- u got 3 right!

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