How All Of The ‘Counting On’ Stars Rebel Against Jim Bob Duggar’s Courting Strict Rules!

Fans of Counting On are all too familiar with the strict rules Jim Bob Duggar imposes on his family, especially when it comes to courting. Physical contact is a no-no – which means no kissing, no hand-holding, or front hugs. But, if you take a look back, it appears that the Duggar couples have all taken part in pre-marital hugging. It turns out, there is a “hug loophole,” and the Duggars are taking full advantage.

So, what is the one guaranteed way to get a front hug? It should come as no surprise that the answer is a marriage proposal.

If you go back to one of the earliest courtships on the show, Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald had such a repressed relationship that Jim Bob gave them 30 seconds for a side hug while he filmed it on his Blackberry. He then explained what a side hug was – a hug from the side.

Best friends forever. ? I thank God for giving me such a caring, compassionate, patient, thoughtful, understanding, selfless, loving, godly husband. I’m reminded daily just how blessed I am to be married to you. I don’t know another man who is as quick to ask forgiveness when he messes up as you are. I don’t know another dad who is more involved in the diapers, cuddles, wrestling matches and training moments as you are. I don’t know another man who is as sensitive to the emotions and feelings of others as you are. You’re a priceless treasure. God blessed me beyond in giving me you.

A post shared by Jessa Seewald (@jessaseewald) on Feb 14, 2018 at 11:18am PST

But, when Seewald asked Jessa to marry him, she said yes, and then gave him a hug full-on from the front.

Next up is Jinger Duggar and Jeremy Vuolo, and the rebel Duggar got some hugging action before her wedding day when Vuolo proposed. The couple figured out a way to pull it off even though Jim Bob was questioning their financial situation. It’s possible they made it happen because Vuolo filled out the famous Duggar 50-page questionnaire with such detail.

Then there is Joy-Anna Duggar and Austin Forsyth. These two made headlines for not following the rules, but instead of defending herself, Joy-Anna let Forsyth explain.

“You know what, we’re humans and sometimes we don’t always abide perfectly by the rules but…we try, and that was a really hard try,” said Forsyth.

Joseph Duggar also snuck in a hug when he proposed to Kendra Caldwell at Joy-Anna’s wedding reception.

Popping the question may be a big step, but it’s the only way a Duggar is going to get any action before tying the knot. Those are the rules, even though Jim Bob and his wife Michelle didn’t follow them at all before they got married.

Jim Bob and Michelle dated (no courting) before they got married and have admitted that they kissed and spent time alone together before saying “I do.” But now, they believe that it is best for their children to save all the physical stuff for marriage.

New episodes of Counting On will return to TLC later this summer.