Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Recap: "Jessa's Engagement"

Tonight on TLC...

19 Kids and Counting "Jessa's Engagement"
  • Since Ben Seewald moved into the Duggars' guest house to work for Jim Bob, he and Jessa's relationship has been progressing much quicker than when they lived three-and-a-half hours apart. "The more I have gotten to know this man, the more I have fallen in love with him," says Jessa.
  • Ben approaches Jim Bob and asks for his permission to propose to Jessa, and Jim Bob grants it.
  • "I think you all will make a great couple, and I think the Lord is in this," says the Duggar dad. "You have Michelle and I's blessing."
  • Ben asks every Seewald and Duggar, including Josh and Anna, to be a part of the proposal. (Jill and Derick are unable to participate, but they stay in the loop via texting.)
  • To kick off his scavenger hunt proposal, Ben invites Jessa on a double date with Jim Bob and Michelle but surprises her by inviting his parents, as well. "Something must be up," Jessa says. The three couples head to Marketplace, the restaurant Jessa and Ben ate at on their first date. 
  • Jim Bob asks everyone to hold hands while he prays over the meal. Ben grabs Jessa's hand, even though Jessa and Ben have decided to save handholding until engagement. "That was actually the first time that we have ever held hands," says Jessa. "It was pretty special."
  • Josh and Anna surprise Ben and Jessa by arranging to pay for the meal. The server brings a gift for Jessa, the first gift that Ben has ever wrapped. He admits that the wrapping job is far from perfect. 
  •  "I couldn't have done better myself," says Jim Bob. "He's right," affirms Michelle.
  • Ben tells Jessa that the gift is the first clue to the rest of her life but tells her to wait until the following morning to open it. "I was dying to open that package," says Jessa.
  • The next morning, Jessa unwraps the box to find a tablet with a video message from Ben telling Jessa and Jinger to take an airplane ride with John-David to Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
  • Joseph picks them up on the other end and drops them off at a mini golf course. He hands Jessa a written clue that says she must get a hole-in-one.
  • After mini golfing, Jessa must board a trolley and identify pictures of Washington D.C. monuments, a task that symbolizes the trolley tour she and Ben took while visiting Josh and Anna.
  • Jessa's next task is to gather a dozen roses scattered around a park.
  • Meanwhile, the Duggars and the Seewalds head to Eureka Springs to decorate Thorncrown Chapel, a glass chapel in the Ozarks where Ben will propose to Jessa. The two families help Ben scatter candles and rose petals to prepare for Jessa and Ben's big moment.   
  •  Next, Jessa and Jinger join the Duggars and Seewalds for a train ride. Jessa was excited to see her families but was sad to find out that Ben wasn't with them. Michael Seewald, Ben's dad, stayed behind at the chapel to give his son a pep talk.
  • After the train ride, Jessa and Jinger meet up with Joseph, who chauffeurs them to Thorncrown Chapel. "Walking in there, I was totally speechless," says Jessa. "I felt like I was in a dream."
  • Jinger assumes her role as chaperone by sitting down at the back of the chapel to watch the proposal unfold.
  • "I trust you have had a wonderful journey today, but I trust by the grace of God that another journey is about to begin," Ben tells Jessa as she reaches the front of the chapel. He gets down on one knee and pops the question: "Jessa Lauren, will you marry me?"
  • Jessa tears up as she gives her answer: YES!
  • Ben slips the ring on Jessa's finger, and the engaged couple shares a frontal hug.
  • "It's beautiful," says Jessa, looking down at her ring finger. The two grab hands for the second time ever.
  • "I am thrilled at the thought of spending the rest of my life with Ben Seewald," says Jessa.
  • They announce the news to their families and receive a lot of hugs and well wishes. "This proposal is setting the bar just one notch higher," says Jinger. 

60 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing your proposal, such a beautiful place for a proposal. I love that church. I have enjoyed the journey so far! God Bless!!

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  2. Ben's proposal was so touching. My favorite Duggar show yet. What a romantic he is. Jessa is a very lovely and lucky young woman. God bless you both.

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    1. I agree! Favorite show of the season!

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  3. Ben really organized a special and memorable day to amuse his princess.

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  4. So...How is Ben going to "provide"? It was glossed over tonight in the show, but I recall that being a big deal for Derick...

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  5. Now THAT was a show to be enjoyed. The BEST show this series has ever shown in all its years on TV. It showed the Duggars living in somebody else's world -- Ben's -- and not the other way around -- people conforming to the Duggar world which is not how the world lives in reality. That was a GREAT show, showing the Duggar's coming out of the compound and into the world where they should have been living all along. Great, great show. Best ever. Ben is not marrying into the Duggar family. Jessa is marrying into the Seewald family. As it should be.

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  6. congrats i agree with the others thanks for sharing and yes it was so touching.

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  7. Thank you for giving me positive images to show my daughters as they are growing up! Your family is blessed and a blessing! :-) Beautiful proposal...great job Ben! Congratulations to you all!

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  8. Loved this episode! So sweet! They are for sure a great couple! I'm not concerned but I am curious about the full on hug... ;)

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  9. He realized that they wouldn't be able to get married in the chapel of her dreams (due to the size). So he proposed to her there!!
    That made me tear up!

    What an amazing husband Jessa has!

    I wish them the best.
    It is so awesome to see a show like this on TV!

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  10. I TOTALLY AGREE..THAT WAS A BEAUTIFUL PROPOSAL!!!ESP WHEN HE SAID HE PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT SHE SAYS.AND HOW THE PROPOSAL WAS IN THE PLACE SHE WANTED TO GET MARRIED IN BUT COULDNT BECAUSE OF THE SPACE....CANT WAIT TO SEE THEIR WEDDING ..THE PROPOSAL WAS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

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  11. I love your show and your family.I have been watching it from the first show aired..I have cried with your family. and laughed with your family.. I wish there were more TV shows like your family with christain values. the world would sure be a better place... god bless your whole family from my family to yours

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  12. That's really sweet, but I do wish the Duggars realized there is no such word as I`s. It should be...you have Michelle's and my blessing.

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  13. Our family loves yours! I think I've watched just about every episode as I recovered at home from a total knee replacement this summer. Now I'm back at work but so look forward to Tuesday nights for some wholesome family fun. What a ministry you've established by showing the world what a family focused on God looks like. God bless you all with many years of health and happiness (and more babies!)

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  14. Quite surprised by the front hug. Not in the rules.

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  15. Very sweet show, I really liked it. I wish Ben and Jessa the best life has to offer!

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  16. Sorry but did not like the proposal

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  17. Wow!! That was a very emotional proposal. Ben did a great job putting that together. Congratulations on your engagement. It was so touching and precious! Wishing you a long and happy life together.

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  18. Im so happy for you two and i cant wait to see the episode about the wedding and. Episodes about first years of marriage and about the Dillards baby bump

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  19. Wow their engagement was amazing and so beautiful!! I honestly liked it better than Jill's. Ben is so romantic! Jessa has an amazing man!

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  20. I really think all our complaints worked, TLC was supposed to end the season with the wedding, now we have more episodeds, grrreat! Maybe they will end with Jills pregnancy.The show is returning is March:-)

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  21. I can't believe Michelle almost had a lroblem with Jessa and Ben holding hand in prayer even though JB said to.That was a tad much, she new what was coming.

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  22. Ben & Jessa seem more discret than Jill & her husband. We are not seeing much of pictures from rehersal, meals etc.... I like the idea they 're seeking privacy. I certainly understand why they wanted to have their first kiss in private. They have been so patient .... This moment had to be private, secret & protected. I wish them both all the best.

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  23. Will you be putting up links to the videos?

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  24. Wishing them all the best in life.

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  25. Awwwwwwwwwwww this is soooo sweet!!!!!

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  26. I actually teared up reading this! Good job Ben!!!

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    1. I did too!! This is so sweet I cried!! I hope my boyfriend will propose to me like this!!

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  27. That was the most epic proposal ever! Ben must have put so much effort to make it so special:) That was my favorite episode this season!

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  28. It was a beautiful proposal and very thoughtful. I was surprised by the full frontal hug after they were engaged. Was that part of what they felt was OK after they were engaged? Or just caught up in the moment?

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  29. Such a beautiful proposal story, and very creative!! I can't wait to watch the episode on TLC! Wish you al the best Ben and Jessa!! God Bless as you start this new journey of life as a married couple!

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  30. A beautiful chapel for a beautiful couple xo

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  31. Ah how cute!! I cannot wait to watch the episode whenever I get out of work!! :-D

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  32. Just another comment on the lay out of the blog page, why don't you make the updates link look a bit more professional?

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  33. Maybe I missed something... Why weren't Jill and Derek able to be part of the proposal? Did they say?

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  34. I know that every bride is different and they like their first look and first kiss private, then why not have a private ceremony with just immediate family, and not thousands of people, and not spend all that money on gowns, bridesmaids and groomsmen outfits, and all that other hoopla? I would think if they are private about things, then the ceremony should have been done that way as well.

    For all those people to come from all over to see a wedding ceremony of Ben and Jessa and have them run out of the church to kiss, and having to witness Jim Bob and Michelle kiss, seems peculiar to me. But I'm from the "north" and not from a big family, so I don't get the large wedding....and why wouldn't they just get married in the beautiful church where Ben proposed?

    And again, as other have commented, inviting all those people to a reception and only having hot fudge sundaes....I don't get it.

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    1. I love it!!! A wedding should be a picture of the couple. Not just following a formula. As for them having their kiss in private I fully support them. Any way going to a wedding is NOT just about seeing the bride and groom kiss! If it is sacred and worth saving then it shouldn't have to be shared with a whole crowd and really the whole world on camera.

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  35. It's great to see a family that is teaching their family to do things the way it was intended to be from the beginning, I think we would have less divorce and happier marriages is more people followed theses principles. Congratulations and BE BLESSED!!!!!

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  36. God Bless you both on your Life Long journey...

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  37. Loved Jessa's emotional response to Ben's proposal. It was so romantic! and never saw that side of Jessa (so touched). Beautiful chapel! Good job Ben!

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  38. I LOVE YOUR SHOW HAVE WATCHED YOU FROM THE FIRST SHOW 10 YEARS AGO I HAVE A QUESTION IF JILL WAS MARRIED ON JUNE 21ST 2014 WHY DID WE JUST SEE IT IN OCT I LIVE IN FLA SO I THOUGHT THEY TAPED IT AT THE TIME IT WAS HAPPENING AND YOU WERE WATCHING IT AS IT WAS HAPPENING IF WE DONT SEE BEN AND JESSAS TILL NEXT SEASON THEY WILL HAVE ALREADY BEEN MARRIED ABOUT A YEAR IS THAT THE WAY THEY DO IT TAPE A SEASON THEN YOU SEE IT THE NEXT SEASON AFTER IT ALREADY HAPPENED

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  39. That was a great way to propose! Ben did an excellent job, and they look very happy. I wonder, though, why Michelle and Jim Bob did not comment on the frontal hug. I was surprised they did not say anything about it, like they did when Jill and Derick accidentally hugged from the front. It was very quick, sweet, and innocent, and appropriate that one time!!!

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  40. I actually liked Derick's proposal to Jill better than Ben's. Their song was unique. Ben's proposal was too dragged out and no surprise to anyone including Jessa. Had he just cut to the chase and lured her to the chapel, she may have been taken a bit off guard. Both brides looked lovely in their dresses - I favor Jessa's style though. May both couples live happily ever after!

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  41. cool day I loooooooooove her weeding dress

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  42. I loved seeing this <3 The love they share is so special and you can tell that the Lord placed them together for a reason. I loved that they shared a very sweet frontal hug and that Jessa teared up a bit. Ben really loves Jessa and she loves him.I pray that the Lord blesses their marriage and gives them many years of love and happiness.

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  43. Just wondering what demonation that church was .We have one like that here in Nebraska, but its Catholic....cant imagine that one would be considering how they feel about that religion?

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  44. I am glad they went outside for the kiss. I got upset at Jills wedding when Jim Bob was the one that said " You may now kiss they bride ", that was the preachers place but Jim Bob had to show control until the very end. It is not his wedding, lighten up.

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  45. I'm thinking the reason JB and Michelle did not comment on the frontal hug, was because they did not witness it. Jinger and the crew were the only ones there. Maybe Jessa and Ben decided they could do frontal hugs once they were engaged. We have not seen any shows since the engagement so we don't know!

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  46. The proposal was really fun and creative. Jessa may not have not been surprised but how fun having this day of clues and activities with your sister with you that leads you to the best part! The church was gorgeous! I am curious how Ben could afford this particular scavenger hunt. I'm sure the private trolley and train ride, meal on the train, etc... cost a bit. Hopefully, all the participants, people 'guarding' roses in park and such we're volunteers. That would be fun!

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    1. I'm guessing alot were donated in exchange for being on the show.

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  47. Does anyone know why Jill and Derrick were not at the proposal of Ben and Jessa?

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  48. @Anonymous

    Hi Anonymous 23,

    YouTube/TLC have begun actively removing the newest episodes from YouTube soon after they are posted, and TLC recently asked us not to post the links to those episodes. (We are not the ones who upload the episodes to YouTube; that is done by other viewers.) The episodes are available for purchase for $1.99 each on iTunes and Amazon.

    Thanks for understanding. :)

    ~Lily and Ellie

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  49. @Anonymous

    Hi Anonymous 33,

    Thanks for the suggestion. Are you referring to the updates link under the blog header?

    Blessings,
    Lily and Ellie

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  50. Congrats I hope you have a happy marriage fore ever

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  51. Oh, dear Jessa Seewald, you are so godly and beautiful! God designed your relationship so well, and I`m so happy for you that you are married to Ben! I pray God will watch over you and Ben, I love you guys!!!!! <3

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  52. That was the best proposal ever despite what Jennifer morales says!!!

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