If you’re a fan of the family’s reality shows, then you’re probably already well acquainted with the Duggar courtship rules .
For the unacquainted, here’s a brief rundown:
Basically, the Duggars aren’t allowed to touch, look at, or speak to another member of the opposite sex until they’re engaged.
Okay, that’s an exaggeration — but not by much.
With all those rules in place, it’s no surprise that the Jim Bob and Michelle’s adult children are usually in a big hurry to get to their wedding night.
Which may explain why their courtships are getting shorter and shorter.
Take a look:
These Two
The first of Jim Bob and Michelle’s offspring to tie the knot were Josh and Anna Duggar. And we all know how that turned out.
A Rocky Romance
(Getty) Yes, Josh and Anna are still married, and yes, they have five children, but their relationship has been beset by scandals and infidelity.
A Lengthy Courtship
Josh and Anna met in 2006 and courted for nearly two years before they got engaged.
Learning From Their Mistake?
Perhaps younger Duggar couples came to regard Josh and Anna as something of a cautionary tale, as no one that followed courted even twice as long.
The Seewalds
(Getty) The next shortest courtship belongs to Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald. They met in 2013 after Jim Bob encouraged Ben to text his daughter about the Bible (of course).
11 Months
The Seewalds courted for just under a year before they got engaged. These days, they’re happily married with two young sons.
The Dillards
(TLC) It was around this same time that Jill Duggar met Derick Dillard.
Moving Right Along
Older sister Jill snuck in and got married just ahead of Jessa primarily because of her much shorter courtship.
5 Months
Yes, even though he was working as a missionary in Nepal when he and Jill first began courting, the couple got engaged after just five months.
Making It Work
These days, the Dillards are also married with two sons. Of course, like Josh and Anna, their marriage has encountered some major turbulence over the years.
The Forsyths
(TLC) The next shortest courtship belongs to another controversial Duggar couple — Joy-Anna and Austin Forsyth.
Four Months
Despite the fact that she was just 20 years old at the time, Joy-Anna got engaged to Austin after a courtship of just four months.
What’s the Rush?
This led to plenty of “shotgun wedding” rumors, but the Duggars maintain that Joy got pregnant on her honeymoon.
Joe and Kendra
(TLC) Next up is Joseph Duggar and Kendra Caldwell, who shocked Duggar obsessives with the breakneck speed of their courtship.
Less Than 3 Months
(TLC) Yes, Joe and Kendra certainly didn’t waste any time. The couple welcomed their first child in June.
Josiah and Lauren
Now, we’re getting into real speed demon territory.
41 Days
Yes, Josiah popped the question to Lauren less than six weeks after the two of them began courting.
Extenuating Circumstances
Of course, Josiah is the only Duggar of his generation to have participated in an unsuccessful courtship before, so we guess he knew what he was looking for when he found it.
The Vuolos
(TLC) Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo had never courted anyone else before they met each other — they just instantly fell head over heels.
36 Days
(TLC) Despite pushback from Jim Bob, Jeremy popped the question after just 36 days. The couple welcomed their first child in June.
The Champions
Not we get to the folks who REALLY rushed in — John David Duggar and Abbie Burnett.
29 Days
(TLC) These two courted for just 29 days before John David popped the question. Though to be fair, at 29, JD was much older than your usual Duggar groom.
Not Such a Mystery
It’s anyone’s guess as to why the Duggar kids keep rushing into marriage — but we’re guessing it has something to do with those ultra-strict no-contact courtship rules. Just a thought.