Things You Didn’t Know About Jessa Duggar And Ben Seewald’s Relationship
Published on September 18, 2018. Updated October 28, 2020Even though Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald have shared so much about their relationship with the world through their two shows – 19 Kids and Counting and Counting On – there’s still so much more to know about the reality TV couple. Here are 12 fun facts about Jessa and Ben’s relationship:
12. First Meeting
The couple met when Ben’s family – who are from Hot Springs, Arkansas – visited the Duggar’s church in Tontitown, Arkansas. The Duggars invited the Seewald’s to their home following mass. Ben initially became friends with her brothers, Joseph and Josiah but, when he would make plans to see them, he would make sure that Jessa would be there too.
11. Fell for Her While Watching 19 Kids and Counting
Before he actually met Jessa, Ben watched 19 Kids and Counting and that’s how he first became interested in Jessa. From watching the show, he could see that she was motivated and “hungry to learn,” and when he met her in person, it was clear to him that this wasn’t an act that she put on for the cameras. She was just as intelligent and motivated off-screen as she was on-screen.
Everett Collection10. Courtship
The couple announced that they were courting in September 2013. This meant that the couple could now give each other a quick side hug when they greeted each other and another quick side hug when they said goodbye. The two corresponded via text and phone and most of their communication revolved around theology and scripture. The two also had to be chaperoned when they were together.
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9. Breaking the Courtship Rules
Ben and Jessa broke the Duggar family courtship rules when they held hands during a pre-meal prayer. According to Duggar family courtship rules, people who are courting can’t hold hands – that’s only for engaged couples. Jim-Bob, who was there, wasn’t upset though because he expected the two to be engaged shortly.
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8. Breaking the Engagement Rules
When Ben popped the question to Jessa (after a long scavenger hunt where she had to find him), the two engaged in a full front hug. Fortunately for them, Jim-Bob was nowhere to be found. He definitely would not have approved because front hugs aren’t allowed until marriage!
7. Wedding
The 19 Kids and Counting star wed her beau in front of 1,000 guests on November 1, 2014 at the First Baptist Church in Bentonville, Arkansas. Jessa wore a blush-colored Allure Bridals wedding, which featured Swarovski crystals, and instead of serving cake at the reception, the couple served ice cream sundaes.
6. First Kiss
During the couple’s wedding ceremony, they didn’t share their first kiss in front of their 1,000 guests. They wanted their first kiss to be in private so, instead, Jim Bob and Michelle kissed for the crowd. At the wedding reception, however, Jessa and Ben did end up kissing several times in front of their guests.
5. Surprise Pregnancy
The couple’s first pregnancy was a total surprise. Jessa took a pregnancy test before church one day and it was positive! She then delivered the news to Ben. “I said, ‘Hey Ben, guess what? Yeah, you’re a dad,” she told People. “We are so excited. We have started talking baby names. It is one of those things that is so special, picking a name for a baby.”
Everett Collection4. They Want to Adopt
Ben and Jessa revealed to People in 2015 that they wanted to adopt. “We hope to adopt a lot of kids,” she told People. “If God blesses us with biological kids of our own, it’s not going to quench our desire to adopt.” When they were expecting their second child, they confirmed they are still planning on adopting. “Ben and I still have a deep desire to adopt, and it’s something we continue to look into,” she told People. “We’ve also talked about fostering to adopt.”
3. He Makes Sure She Has Alone Time
According to Jessa, her hubby makes sure that she gets the alone time that she needs. “Ben is great with the boys and is so sweet to insist on me taking a break from mom duties so I can have quiet time to read, or meet up with a girlfriend or grab a coffee,” she told Us Weekly. “I do love these moments of downtime and refreshment, but it usually isn’t long before I feel myself missing my babies and longing to be back with them.”
2. Date Nights
With two young kids at home, this couple has to make sure to have their date nights. “Having alone time when you have two young kids doesn’t just happen,” Jessa told Us Weekly. “We have to be purposeful.” Rather than go out, these two order in after the boys have gone to bed. “It’s great because our conversations can go long and you’re not on a time-clock with a babysitter or wondering if the baby’s bedtime routine went smoothly,” she revealed. “It’s a good fit for us at this time in our lives.”
1. Complicated Child Birth
With her first child, Spurgeon, Jessa opted to do a natural home birth, but it was anything but easy. Her delivery took 48 hours and, as soon as it was done, she began bleeding so much that her mother, Michelle Duggar, had to call 911. Jessa ended up needing a blood transfusion and had to stay in the hospital overnight.