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Monday, November 16, 2020

Justin's Engagement

 
Jim Bob Duggar, Michelle Duggar, Justin Duggar, Claire Spivey

Justin Duggar, No. 14 in the Duggar family lineup, has had an eventful start to the week. Yesterday he celebrated his 18th birthday, and today he announced his engagement. He and Claire Spivey had been courting for 14 months. The link below is for a TLC video from the newly engaged couple. 

Justin Duggar and Claire Spivey Engagement Announcement

Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

390 comments:

  1. Wow, he is really young to be engaged. Why rush? Is it to see who can have the most kids or what?

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    1. That's ridiculous.

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    2. I'm the commentator 2:17, I just want to add that I meant that a wedding at this age is ridiculous, not your comment, with which I agree.

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  2. He looks like a 14 year old boy.

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    1. MO- I was thinking the same thing. :o)

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    2. Me too, his voice hasn’t even cracked, it’s still high pitched

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  3. They are so young. And I know people will say, his parents were that young, too. But Michelle and Jim Bob waited several years to have children. They got to experience more before jumping into having kids, and we know that's not going to be an option for Justin and Claire.

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    1. Maybe they like to have kids. Maybe that's what they dreamed since their childhood.

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    2. I seriously doubt Justin's childhood dream was to have kids at 18 or 19.

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    3. maybe they had all kinds of experience.. Justin got to see much of the world being on tv

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  4. So young - at only 18 years old you still have so much growing up to do. What's the rush? I hope this works out.

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  5. That's to bad. I'm sorry to hear that. Jane

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  6. No way?!?! My gosh, I am truly shocked. But, I have to have faith in the Lord, that these two have prayed about it, and if the Lord has given his blessing to them, then who am I to doubt that it is right?

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    1. How would you know the Lord has given His blessing? What people WANT to believe is often completely different than what they SHOULD believe. This is how people talk themselves into certain situations.

      I wonder what a marriage counselor outside of any religion would have to say about 2 kids getting engaged. When you take a perceived divine message out of the mix, it would change things. Also, adding the message, you could end up later feeling a moral obligation to stay in an unhappy situation.

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    2. no other Duggar has gotten a divorce! Chill!

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  7. Sorry, but I can’t be happy about this. They are way too young! If Justin was in a normal family, he’d still be in high school!

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  8. Of course the Duggars had to travel to where Justin has been staying with Claire's family. Virus cases are reaching new heights and we're not supposed to be around others outside our immediate household. No masks being worn either. It's so disappointing to see this. After my friend lost her father from this virus, I could cry all over again about how people are taking these chances and spreading it. This peak is not going to stop until we all stay home!

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    1. I completely agree with you! Because of people behaving like the Duggars, the rule followers can’t see or hug friends or family and kids can’t go back to school.

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    2. Common sense hygiene practices such as keeping hands washed and away from your face will stop the spread, social distancing and face masks will help as well. People need to be considerate of those who are elderly and or high risk! I completely agree that the Duggar’s do not have common sense most of the time. Having said all that this virus has a 98% survival rate.... use common sense, wash your hands and mask up when social distancing can’t be followed...

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    3. Older and medically vulnerable people are totally stuck at home because the younger people (and families like the Duggars) won't stop congregating and spreading this. Thanksgiving and Christmas are going to be nightmares. Anyone getting together with family could spread it, and hospitals are going to be overwhelmed. They're already using makeshift morgues and tent ICU's. Doctors and nurses are at stress breaking points and some are quitting. It's not fair to ask them to deal with more. Stay home everyone! Don't wait for your state's governor to tell you what common sense should have already told you. The news tonight said that if you get together for Thanksgiving, you could be planning a funeral for Christmas. For the doubters, go look at the numbers of cases and the rising death tolls. Look at the lines, the all-day waits for tests, and the positive rates. Talk to the people losing loved ones right and left, sometimes multiple family members at once. It's not a hoax...

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    4. The case loads have gotten so bad that some places are prohibiting Thanksgiving gatherings or severely limiting the allowed size. Still, people are going to ignore those guidelines and put themselves and others in danger. Watch the numbers soar between now and Christmas, and again after Christmas. Patience! It takes patience and discipline to get through this alive, two qualities in as short supply right now as paper towels.

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    5. I'm with you ... I can't believe people who don't believe in the global pandemic. They will probably have a mega wedding in a pandemic

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  9. I am so happy for them! Btw, Claire kinda looks like she could be related to the Duggars.

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  10. Wow! Congrats to Justin. That was so fast, but it makes sense if you think about it, they've been dating for the past 14 months. I wish nothing but the best for them. They seem like a wonderful couple (and I also love the idea that Claire is older)

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  11. Congratulations to Claire and Justin on your engagement.

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  12. Wow, she looks a lot like Jana! I almost thought it was Jana in that video for a second there. Wow he’s really young. But I can’t judge, I got married at 18!

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    1. Same!! That was the 1st thing I said!! She looks like Jana!!

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    2. I think she looks a lot like a younger Anna.

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  13. That was exactly what we expected.... When you look at the picture, you see a boy...not a man... Ik hope they will take enough time grow a little bit further, before they get married... And I genuinly hope they will not rush into marriage because that's the only way they are allowed tot have physical contact....

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    1. Justin is actually looking quite grown compared to Jackson who is just 1.5 year younger than him.

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  14. Claire looks so much like Jana in the TLC video!!

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    1. She looks just like her!! I keep saying the same thing.

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  15. when they announced their courtship in the show around September, my thought was that they'll get engaged on Justin's birthday. And I was very surprised that yesterday his parents and also future in-laws posted just "happy birthday" messages. But here we are - he did get engaged on his birthday!!
    I don't know how they counted their "courtship" - they showed him announcing the courtship on Ben's birthday which is May 19th (which would be 6 months). Did they count just friendship too?
    In any case congratulations! I'm very curious when they will be having a wedding. It would be very cool to have like a Winter wedding or maybe early Spring wedding with early bloom.

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    1. Duggars so far did not have a Winter wedding, November was the lastest. I think they might go for a Valentine's Day wedding, it's 3 months away, and it will be very romantic, Red bridesmades dressed, red roses for the bouquets, they add some pinkand gold to it. It will be difficult to do it outside, but covid won't go away and large gatherings are prohibited anyway, so it'll be ok to do it inside. Baby by next Christmas.

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  16. Hi - can you explain how Justin and Claire have been courting for 14 months when on Counting on they showed them announcing their courtship to the family on Ben's birthday in May?

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    1. They stage a whole bunch of things for the show... I stopped watching because it all seems unauthentic now.

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    2. They probably were courting for those 14 months, but for the show they decided to make an announcement so that the engagement would not be a shock to viewers. If they were really courting, they probably planned to get engaged around his 18th birthday.

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  17. Congratulations!now please no criticising,he's officially an adult now so he's legally entitled to marry,and don't say he's not mature enough as he's not a typical teenager he has a good head on his shoulders and he has been taught to be responsible,so I think he's ready for marriage and becoming a dad,he's had enough experience in this family,I'm sure he's changed diapers before and rocked a baby to sleep!and that's the life he wants so people let's just be happy for him.

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    1. I know two 18 year old kids who defiantly married on their 18th birthdays, and both marriages ended in divorce not too long after. Just because a piece of paper says you're legally an adult doesn't mean you're ready to marry.

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  18. What on earth is their big hurry?! I find it hard to comprehend that these parents condone an 18 year old getting married.

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  19. I wish them well, but who DIDN'T see this one coming.

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  20. It'll be a different Duggar wedding for sure...won't be 1,000 guests! Due to Covid, and depending where we are in the vaccination process, it might be 50 people allowed at their wedding!!!

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  21. Congratulations, to Justin & Claire!!!!

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  22. What a cute couple. They look they could be brother and sister. I wish them well.

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  23. I think it's funny when the couples say, Can't wait to see what the future holds for us.

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    1. Me too. The future holds lots of kids, more than likely. Working for Jim Bob and living in one of his houses and working for him. Not much more.

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    2. @6:34 I agree it’s ridiculous; especially coming from Duggar couples!!! We and they know exactly what’s coming: babies.

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  24. Well, so much for my theory!!!! I thought that Justin & Claire, might wait for the Covid-19 pandemic, to settle down, before they got engaged. I thought that the desire, to invite a big crowd of people, to their wedding, might win out, over getting married, as quickly as possible.

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  25. Good for Justin! He is a child #14, he was always in a group of younger boys. Now he will get individual attention, will get cooked just for him meals, a companion to share daily life (not a group of siblings).

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    1. Misty, you seriously think those are valid reasons for an 18 yr. old to get married? Married?!

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    2. What is Claire getting in return? A marriage isn't supposed to be all about what she can do for him. Eve was designed as a gift for Adam, not a servant.

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    3. Who was his older buddy? Jessa or Jana? Michelle had 13 kids above him and 5 kids below him. Josie was born when Justin was only 7. It's a big family.

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    4. Misty-so. What your saying is Claire will provide individual mothering to Justin? You said it exactly right: Justin is “child” #14!

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    5. @7:05 It sounds like you're describing a mother not a wife.

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  26. No parent in their right mind would allow a 17 + 1 day year old boy to announce an engagement. This is ridiculous.

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    1. 18*
      But yeah, it still can’t believe JB and Michelle + Claire’s parents were on board with this.

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    2. Actually, he was 17 plus a few days, or 18 MINUS a few days when he got engaged. What's the diff? A typo or a few days, doesn't matter. Still too young, and yep, no parent should allow that.

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  27. Courted for 14 months? That means he started when he was 16 years and 10 months old.

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    1. So? That is a very normal age since courting is there version of dating.

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    2. ah..hanahaa...very funny

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  28. Heavy sigh. This one is hard for me to support. While it’s true that some people marry in their teens & go on to spend the rest of their lives together, it is exceedingly rare. The two would have benefited from a longer courtship.

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  29. Courting for 14 months? They just started courting in Sept. That is 2 months. I'm all for love, but what is the rush?

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    1. No they announced the courtship than they had been courting for a year before they announced it.

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    2. Most of them start courting before they announce their courtship publicly. So while we just learned about it a couple months ago, that doesn't mean that's when it really began. Think about how far behind the show is to real life time. I agree though- they are SO yoing- him, especially. I doubt it will be a long engagement, but I wish it would be.

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    3. They announced in Sept but rather it was an official courtship or not they announced an "official relationship" back during the first lockdown according to the show. I am sure there is some grey area on the progression of their relationship since they started talking and getting to know each other when he was 16.

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  30. Was anyone surprised by this announcement? I wonder when the wedding will take place.

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  31. Congratulations Justin & Claire on your engagement. I'm so excited for you guys. I can't wait to see the wedding & honeymoon on counting on. I hope me & a lot of other fans will at least get to see the wedding on season 12 or 13 & possibly lots of other surprises in store for us. My parents and I can't wait to see everyone & were slowly waiting for season 12 coming sometime in 2021 Natasha b

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    1. I also can't wait to see everyone on season 12.

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    2. @7:56-considering we’re in a pandemic; their wedding should be extremely small and not have an immediate honeymoon. So, you can stop wondering.

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    3. You almost sound gleeful there's a virus to ruin their plans, 5:33. You must be awfully bored staying home 24-7.

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  32. I am sorry to say that this makes me feel sad for them. Justin doesn't even look like he has finished growing yet. To be a husband, and soon after, a father, seems crazy. He has a resigned looked in his eyes, similar to Josiah. I think they were pushed into their relationships. I have a pretty good idea why. Nevertheless, best of luck to them.

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    1. I know what you’re getting at. Is this just pure speculation?

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    2. That reason "why" is no reason to commit for life at 17 or 18!

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    3. Derick came right out and stated the reason.

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    4. @8:09-Spot on!!!

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  33. I am sorry to say that this makes me feel sad for them. Justin doesn't even look like he has finished growing yet. To be a husband, and soon after, a father, seems crazy. He has a resigned looked in his eyes, similar to Josiah. I think they were pushed into their relationships. I have a pretty good idea why. Nevertheless, best of luck to them.

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    1. Justin is wise beyond his years

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  34. But they both look like kids ! I hope they take the time to enjoy being engaged and planning for the wedding and the marriage. What will they live off ?

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    1. omg! They did this back 1800s too.. how on earth did they survive?? (Gasp!!)

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  35. I have always been one to have a live and let live attitude about their relationships, but this one? He's only 18!

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  36. I know people will insult them because of their age but they are doing it right in my opinion. They are young but instead of spending their dates going out and partying like many kids their age do they are getting to know each others families and getting to know their values. Congratulations to the couple!

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    1. Well said,people judge them because the majority of teenagers are not mature enough for such large responsabilities but they forget the Duggar kids are taught responsibility from a young age like working in construction,helping with the siblings and around the home,and that's what makes them ready for marriage and a family.

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    2. There is nothing wrong with dating and partying. It's called being social. What exactly is so wrong about a party that you have to call it out like that? They're not all wild drunken bashes, if that's what you're thinking.

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    3. Yes! Thank you!

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  37. Time 10:15PM Mon 11/16/20
    Congrats Justin & Claire.
    Very cute couple ❤❤❤❤❤🌈🌈🌈🧸

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  38. Oh my word! Congratulations Justin and Claire. Engaged already and soon to be the youngest Duggar son to marry. But fans,don't count on a long engagement, this is probably gonna be a Valentine's Day wedding for sure. It just seems perfect and that's 4 months to prepare for the wedding. But who knows,it could be a long engagement and end up being a Summer wedding. I don't recall any of the Duggar family members marrying in Summer,all the anniversaries are in either in late Spring,Fall,and Winter. And who cares how young you are. Two friends of mine got married at 19 this year and are very mature for their ages.

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  39. As long as they got all their things in order congrats to them.

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    1. But they don’t. No adult should get married or bring children into the world before they have established means to financial self-sufficiency. This is irresponsible, both in practice and as an example to others.

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    2. He is self sufficient. He works, and I am not talking about the show.

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    3. I’m surprised that you are privy to his financial situation! From what i’ve observed, i’m sure he’s more than financially ready.

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    4. just because it failed for you, it doesn't mean it won't be successful for them. Duggars have married very young for years now. Chill out and work on your own relationships..

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  40. Engaged at 18!? Well this was a surprise! S.

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  41. My goodness I had no idea they had been courting for 14 months already, so he was just 16 when he started going out with Claire ? I wish anyone on the verge of marriage, love, luck, & happiness. However, I do think he is exceptionally young to be getting married. He looks like he is about 15 & hasn’t started shaving or his voice has broken yet. I wonder how he will support a wife & family, & if either of my children had got engaged on their 18th birthday, I would have been horrified as they had no life experience & neither does Justin. My son is 25 & his girlfriend 28 & they still say they aren’t ready for marriage & they have been together 4 years. I do hope these young people really know what they are getting into. Marriage is a lot of hard work & compromise, something that many 18 year olds just aren’t prepared for. Also as divorce is not accepted in their faith, they need to be absolutely sure that they want to spend the rest of their life together. Most young people (particularly young men), do a lot of growing up between the ages of 18-25 & the things they were interested in at 18 are usually very different by the time they are in their mid 20s.

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    1. Justin has also grown more than his brothers at his age, he is tall, athletic, muscular.

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    2. The Duggars don’t know any other way! I’m surprised that Claire’s parents thought it was a smart idea? Maybe, they see Duggar dollars!

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    3. Anon 5.36. That’s a very good point, what are Claire’s parents thinking about letting this marriage go ahead while they are so young, especially as Justin has no life experience & god knows how he is going to support a family.

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  42. Congratulations Justin and Claire! I am very happy for you.

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  43. Congratulations Justin and Claire! May you have a blessed and beautiful future together.

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  44. I wish them all the best for their future together

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  45. Justine Kessner WOW Justin U are going to get married, I thought lol. this might happen!!!! Good Speed, and I wish U 2 will the best luck!!!! Clair WOW, U seem like U are going to be a great Sister In-Law, WOW, I am happy for U!!! I love U 2!!!!!

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  46. So they’ve been courting since he was 16?!? Who the heck allowed that?

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    1. In this day n age, there are tons of teens dating from like 14 on already, and like someone mentioned dating is the same as these guys courting, so what’s the huge surprise?? They might seem quite young to be married soon, but obviously their parents, who know them best, feel they are ready for it, so who are we to say they are too young?

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    2. The world is truly upside down. We have public schools teaching way to much in sex-ed (I am not talking about the basic preventative info) and we have TV showing teenagers in physical relationships. Main stream culture encourages "free expression" even for teenagers. However, a 16 year old get's in a platonic relationship where he takes the time to get to know his girlfriend in groups and get's to know her family for over a year is wrong. It's truly a "Brave New World". Read the book if you haven't.

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    3. @12:08 and 12:09,well said,I could not have said it better, people just seem to judge but they can't see things in different perspective,every situation is different,one 18 year old is not the same as another.

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    4. @12:09 I have read Brave New World and funny you should bring this up. Huxley would have had a field day with a family like the Duggars, with their rigid ideas of religion and how strictly they bring up children to form their own type of Utopian family and society. He would have had something to say about commercializing one's family. Huxley was also a critic of overpopulation. I think you're missing the point of this book, from a writer known for his social satire who wanted to shake up the science fiction genre of the era. It was also written as a reaction to the economic conditions in the UK at the time.

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    5. 12:09. Define “too much sex ed.” Also, getting to know someone in groups and having family hovering is not really the way to choose a lifetime partner. It’s simply not realistic.

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    6. Very interesting discussion here. "Brave new world" takes on a different meaning if you think of the Duggars' way of life as the new world. Isn't restricting what movies, TV, and books your family can see and what education they can get a way to control thoughts, which is a theme of the Brave New World book?

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    7. I can't provide examples or define the extent of sex ed on this blog since I am sure younger people are on it. Suffice it to say that it can go beyond the basic birds and the bees.

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  47. They are teens. Not ready to get married and pregnant so soon.

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  48. Man, if I had married the person I was “in love” with at 18... yikes

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    1. I’d rather be single for life than married to my boyfriend from age 18.

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    2. I met my husband when I was 15 he 16, We started dating and married at 19 and 20. Been married 31 years with two wonderful sons. There is happiness out there why are most people so judgemental.

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    3. Sure, I met my husband in high school, but we both dated a bunch (!!) of other people, went to college, and had jobs before we got serious about each other. Just because you meet someone that young doesn't mean you throw everything else aside and marry. I'm glad we waited because by then we were both positive about what we wanted.

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    4. 11:49, me too! I remember being so in love! In hindsight I realize it was just hormones. I’m sure I’d be divorced now if I had married him.

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    5. @1:21-I imagine you two are a main stream couple; not a sheltered couple like Justin & Claire. No further education, no work experience outside his father, no getting to know each other without others around...

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    6. Anon 1.21. My daughter met her boyfriend when she was 7 & he was 9. When they were at first school together he asked her out but she was very shy & even having a little boy as a friend (& it was all terribly innocent), was too much for her. However 11 years later when they were both at the same university they started going out together properly, he had never stopped loving her, & my daughter had always really liked him as they went through secondary school together. They have now been together almost 5 years & are very happy together. He has been there for her through some very dark times this year when I was seriously ill with sepsis & because of covid 19 she couldn’t visit me for the month I was in hospital. I know they will one day get engaged & settle down (& hopefully make me a grandma). However, I doubt it will be for a year or so yet & that’s fine. They have had years to get to know one another & our families have know each other through school & church for 16 years. Like you & your husband they have been together a good few years already. I think people are judgemental as these two are very young for marriage & don’t seem to have been together very long. They claim the couple have been going out for 14 months, so that would have made him 16 at the time, who knows what they want at that age. Courtships should just be fun, going to the cinema & out for something to eat, not remotely thinking of marriage or spending their life together.

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  49. I feel for you Lily and Ellie for The hundreds of comments you will be approving and rejecting. At any rate, this couple is very young but I know people who got married at their age and are still married after 30+ years.

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    1. Wow! This is great news! Something news-worthy enough to get us all riled up! -Love all the comments!

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  50. Personally, I could not imagine myself being submissive to an 18 yr old boy in a marriage.

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    1. I'd have stayed single 30 years ago rather than to be "submissive" to any man. A married couple can work together and be equal partners. No need for one to dominate the other. When one believes they have more power, that power can be abused.

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    2. But that is how their marriages are designed. Dependent wives. Not a good idea for anyone to rely on another for all financial means, for many reasons you can easily imagine.

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    3. Yeah. Somehow the people in the Duggar circle think it's a good idea. At that age he can't even support a family so why should he be "in charge"?

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    4. Its very important to them that a man be able to support. a family in order to marry. So I’m sure he at that point.

      For those who may not understand biblical submission in marriage. This what we believe the Bible teaches. Submission in marriage is like the trinity. Christ and God the Father are equal in substance, but they have different roles. Christ submits to the Father, He is our example. Man and wife are equal, but have different roles. We submit because Christ submitted to the Father, being equal to Him.

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    5. Right! And years ago when Josh was marrying; JimBob gave a speech about young men needing to be able to support his wife and be debt free before marrying. I guess that belief has changed.

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    6. people don't really get what being submissive really is. They think it's a form of control but it's not. Research what it really means

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  51. wow we all called it! Everyone knew he would be engaged by his 18th birthday.

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  52. Congratulations to Justin and Claire!! Yes, 18 is a bit young to marry....however, Michelle and Jim Bob were 17 and 19 years of age...and I did read a article that the Duggar children are more mature then other kids their age. They will be just fine.

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    1. How can they be more mature when they have no formal education and are sheltered from the rest of the world?

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    2. Why do people think that we homeschoolers have no "formal education"?

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    3. hmm... let's see... most public school kids can't read or write in cursive and cannot tell time with a face clock.. i know most high schoolers who can't write a decent speech or keep a job! Who are the immature ones again??? Think reeealll hard

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  53. Jim Bob asked Michelle to marry her when she was seventeen. They are southern and they do things different.I am happy for Justin.

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    1. I am southern, proud of it. Please don't lump all of us together. At 17, I was enjoying my teen yrs!

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    2. I'm sure if JimBob and Michelle have done it, that must mean it's the best way. Not.

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    3. They said they made "mistakes" when dating, remember? So it wasn't the best way. If my 17 or 18 year old wanted to get married, they'd be booked for the next class at a university in another hemisphere.

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    4. hey im all for southerners:)

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  54. One can bring up anecdotal examples of people who've had successful young marriages. However, the reality is that facts don't lie. Kids getting married at this young are at much higher risk for divorce. There's absolutely no sound reason to get married at 18, 19 or even 20. Rushing into this is not smart and I'm surprised the parents are encouraging it.

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    1. Right. Did you all see the look on EVERY duggars face when Justin announced this last season. Shocked the day lights out of them. It was kinda funny.I dont think that they agree with this stunning revelation, but OUCH!

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    2. This family and their rigid system won't let their kids get divorced, so they end up staying together no matter what happens (Josh & Anna) or how regretful they may feel later about what a mistake they might have made. It's sad and even scary. "God's plan" can't possibly be for everyone to meet and marry at 17 or 18.

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    3. Studies have shown that couples that put God at the center of their marriage and regularly attend church are less likely to divorce. I believe that since they have a strong faith they will get through the growing pains of the 20's. It's not a guarantee but I would put money on two young people with a strong faith of having a successful and happy marriage than two older people getting married who have little faith and never go to church. One study found... 53% of Very Happy Couples agree with the statement, "God is at the center of our marriage" (compared to 7% of Struggling Couples).

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    4. Divorce is not possible. She has to stay with him.

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  55. I wonder if they will have the typical 3 month engagement or if it will be longer this time? Since they have been dating for a while they may just do the 3 month thing. It would be nice to have a February wedding. I am curious though if they will wait a little longer for the wedding until spring.

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    1. Since the engagement was announced as soon as Justin turned 18, I expect the wedding will follow fairly quickly.

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    2. They’ll get married while Claire is still 19. Then it won’t look like such a scandalous age difference a la Benessa.

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    3. I'm also thinking a spring/summer wedding only due COVID, and with the size of their family. But I also know whenever they do marry, will be a great day for them.

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    4. And look for a baby at the end of 2021.

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  56. It will be interesting to see if they move to Texas by the Spivey's or stay in Arkansas with the Duggar family. Normally I would expect the Duggar Sons who are in the real estate/flipping business to stay near to home so they can work together on projects but since the Spivey family has a construction company I think it's possible they could move next to the Spivey's instead.

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    1. In fact,Justin could start working for Claire's father if they want to move closer to her family as he has plenty practice working in construction flipping houses for the family,if not well Jim Bob will sort him out for a job,I don't understand why people criticise that he doesn't work for others, nothing wrong with working for family,why give the job to a stranger and they don't risk losing their job,as long as he has a job to support a family and in the future he can start his own business to support a larger family.

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    2. A woman always follows her husband. So she needs to leave her family. He is the provider.

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    3. Not always @8:33. Sometimes the couple moves in with the wife's family or is given a job by them. Could see it happening this time.

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    4. Doesn’t good ‘ol Ben work for Jim Bob?

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    5. Anon 8:33 What happens if the husband becomes ill or is injured and is unable to be the provider? I don't think women should be totally dependent on a man.

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    6. 8:33 That is an extreme over generalization. Some men go where the wife goes due to her career moves.
      Most families rely on two incomes nowadays.

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  57. To all the complainers, some people just mature faster. Even the fair minded casual observer can tell he is a hard worker and seems to be ambitious. I think I remember him already having a flip house. In addition, since they take the courtship so seriously and really get to know their goals and values I am hopeful and optimistic they will have a happy and healthy marriage.

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    1. Eighteen year olds just think they're mature. None of them are. They don't have the life experience or the brain maturity at that age.

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    2. We only see what the Duggars want you to see. Justin has lived his entire life in a bubble, where everything is planned and laid out for him. It isn’t a matter of him being more mature at all.

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    3. You can't tell if someone is ambitious or a hard worker by looking at them. I hope they will be happy but working in the "family business" means that they will be dependent on JB and Michelle. I don't see that as a good thing.

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    4. @11:52 You're saying that kids who come from families like this somehow mature faster? What do you consider to be maturity then? Submitting to your parents until you submit to your spouse? Educated at home with restricted curriculum? Employed for a little bit by a family member? How is that maturity? If they don't rebel or run away, that's maturity??

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  58. Marrying this young has great risks to it, particularly that you'll finish growing up and find yourselves at 30 being completely different people with nothing in common. And these two have their whole lives ahead of them to have the heavy responsibility of marriage and children, so I'm wondering why they can't mature a bit more. One thing I do think is in their favor is that the Duggars seem to marry well. I think with both sets of parents vetting the two, this might become another happy marriage.

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    1. That's if you have different jobs, or one has a developing job. But Justin and Claire seems to have the same values, they are in love, they will get married and will focus of creating a family, building a house, then bigger house, having more kids... What else would you expect from life? What is maturity?

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  59. They should be going to prom not a wedding imho

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    1. Yea, looking back when my kids were that age, there was no way they were or any of their friends ready for marriage. And, before someone posts that these two are "mature", I doubt that. These young people have barely lived. They have both lived sheltered lives. Have they supported themselves; got groceries and pay the bills for themselves?

      My children and their friends had plans for their futures which, many of them, have realized. They have become contributing members of our society-doctors, lawyers, engineers, nurses, social workers... Only now, in their early 30s, are they settling down and starting families. The few that married early, right out of high school, are either divorced or living in poverty/with financial support of their parents.

      I can only surmise that this is a way for Jim Bob to exercise control over his adult children. Marry them off early, before they are able to become financially independent.

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  60. How old is Claire?

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    1. I think she was 19 when they started courting, so either 19 or 20 I think

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    2. She is turning 20 on February 27, 2021.

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  61. I wish they would move away from both families and live their life on their own.

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  62. They look like they could be brother and sister! Have you ever noticed, so many of the Duggar kids marry someone who looks like themselves?

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    1. Not all these couples look alike,but some do,I think it's easier for them to guess that someone whom they like that looks like them will be interested back,they don't want to risk when they show interest to that person they react"oh I'm sorry but it's actually your brother I like"lol.

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  63. Wow 🀩. Congratulations πŸŽˆπŸΎπŸŽ‰πŸŽŠ. I’m so happy for the Happy πŸ˜ƒ Couple. Can not wait for your wedding.

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  64. Michelle looks good here.

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  65. Justin is a good boy, from a good Christina background. He had honorably courted a girl he fell in love with (unlike 16 and Pregnant teens who just sleep around, have babies, break up, dump their babies on their parents, drink, have no jobs). Justin has a job, sought approval of both sets of parents, respects his bride, and honorably marrying her. Congratulations! I'm sure they will have a long, happy marriage, filled with Christian values.

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  66. I think this is rather sad. A 18 year old who has his life already mapped out without ever having the chance to go to college and explore all the possibilities that life has to offer. I wish them well but they are short changing themselves.

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  67. With Claire being the oldest and the youngest being only a few years old, I wonder if she and her mother will be a repeat of Kendra and her mother - having babies at the same time.

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  68. Congratulations Claire and Justin. Happiness and love to you. God Bless.
    Joan,Marion and Marilyn

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  69. Will she have her braces off in time for their first kiss?

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  70. Congratulations! I say you are doing it right, just like most of our grandparents did. Married young, grew up together and formed a wonderful strong bond that lasted for life. You two do what makes you happy ❤❤

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  71. I knew it was coming ...they gonna be married by the new year and be expecting by the summer they too young he still look like he play with action figures .

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  72. He does seem kind of young, and yes, considering his voice hasn’t cracked. But me and my husband met eachother when we were 16, we got married at 18, and now I’m 41 years old with 3 kids and 3 grandkids. So yes, it can work, but only if both people put the work into it! I remember everyone telling me, your too young, ect ect, and it really irritated me because I felt like no one supported me, and I felt like my whole family looked down on me. But here I am, 23 years later, and me and my husband love each other more than the day we met, so don’t be judgy. It’s like, if you know, you know. And why let that Special person go? If you find the right person for you, and there’s that connection, who cares what anyone else thinks?

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  73. Congratulations wishing you Gods blessing on your marriage. Thankful for those who marry and stay pure and commit for the rest of their lives unlike our culture today. Let your light shine for Jesus!

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  74. Would be so cool if they got married soon and had a baby on the next Justin's birthday!

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  75. Do people get married in the Winter? Usually it's May-June or October-November. Because I think Justin and Claire can get married in a couple of months...

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    1. People get married whenever they want to. There's no set schedule for when a wedding can take place.

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  76. I wonder of the wedding will be in Texas or Arkansas. John-David's wedding was in Oklahoma, where Abbie lived. And John also got married in Florida where Anna was from.

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  77. If Ben could honestly give Justin advise, I wonder what he would say.

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  78. Congratulations! I am so happy for you! People said I was too young to marry when I was 21. That was 19 years ago. Still very happily married! I remember wishing people had been happy for me, and it is really sad that they weren’t. I knew my husband was the one and that the Lord brought us together. I also knew the time was right. Follow the Lord all your days and He will guide you.

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  79. I met my husband at the young age of 18, we got engaged 4 months after we started dating, and we're married the following year. I was 19 and he was 20. In March we will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. So what if Justin and Claire are both young and decide to spend their lives together. Not everyone who marries young divorces. In my opinion there is nothing better then growing up and growing old with the person you love.

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  80. Guess you might as well marry at 18 when your primary goal in life is to have as many children as possible. Get an early start.

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