After a successful courtship, Jill Duggar is engaged to boyfriend Derick Dillard.
In last week's season premiere of TLC's "19 Kids & Counting," viewers got to see accountant Derick Dillard, 25, who began a courtship with Jill Duggar, 22.
Jill, who has 18 siblings and counting, announced the news in a statement to People magazine. "I am so happy," Jill said. "Our story is so very unique. The first time we talked, he was in Japan, we met in Nepal, he spent time in India and Israel and then came back to Arkansas where he met my family. We have a very international story even though we live so close."
Jill's sister Jessa, 21, is also in a courtship with Ben Seewald, and viewers will be curious to know when Jessa will get engaged.
The Duggars describe a courtship as "dating with a purpose", meaning that physical contact is restricted and there is no-hand holding or kissing. The courtship is also chaperoned by adults, with their contact being monitored by their parents.
Regarding her daughters' relationships with their possible suitors, mom Michelle Duggar previously told People: "This is such a precious season of life. I realize at the same time we are so thrilled we realize they are eventually going to be gone and start their own homes. We are cherishing this time together."
