Sometime in the near future, Josiah Duggar will marry Lauren Swanson.
As for exactly when the couple will say “I do” … well, the Duggars are keeping that information under their hats.
Why? Well, they would have us believe it’s because they don’t want obsessive fans crashing the party.
But fans think there’s something much more sinister going on here.
So join us as we take a deep dive into the most scandalous Duggar courtship to date and try to sort out the mystery that is Josiah and Lauren’s romance:
Young Love
Josiah and Lauren reportedly hit it off immediately and began talking marriage just days after their courtship began back in January.
International Intrigue
Rumors of Josiah and Lauren’s courtship began when Swanson was spotted traveling with the Duggar clan during their trip to Australia. The couple announced their courtship shortly after returning to the States.
Making It Official
Of course, fans couldn’t really be sure this thing was for real until the family released one of their traditional welcoming videos in which Jim Bob and Michelle do all the talking, and it’s mostly about Jesus.
Keeping Up Appearances
At this point, Josiah and Lauren’s courtship appeared to be very similar to the Duggar romances that preceded it. Of course, there were already some key differences.
A Different Breed
Josiah has always been regarded as the most rebellious of his siblings. So perhaps it’s fitting that he’s taken the loosest interpretation of his family’s strict courtship rules.
Round Two
The most obvious way that Josiah is unique among his siblings is that his first courtship didn’t result in marriage.
A Doomed Romance
Josiah dated Marjorie Jackson in 2015, and there was a time when it looked as though the young couple was headed for the altar.
A Public Commitment
Josiah and Marjorie even went so far as to announce their courtship to fans with a video they made themselves.
Suspicious Footage
Fans were quick to point out that Jim Bob and Michelle did not appear on camera, as they usually do in courtship videos. Did they disapprove of Marjorie?
No Shrinking Violet
It’s quite possible, as Jackson is quite different from the type of woman that’s usually welcomed into the Duggar clan. For example, she’s already an accomplished career woman and published author.
Not Long For This World
Whatever the case, Josiah and Marjorie parted ways after just a few months together. They made no official announcement, and fans pieced together news of the breakup after noticing that Josiah had deleted all photos of Marjorie from his Instagram page.
Still a Mystery
Josiah has vaguely commented on the matter, but we still have no idea why he and Marjorie called it quits. There were rumors that she would release a tell-all memoir, but the book never materialized.
Enter Lauren
It took a long time for Josiah to give love another chance, with more than two years elapsing between courtships.
Another Rebel
Lauren is rumored to be almost as rebellious as Josiah, and she’s already established her independence in a number of small ways, such as defying the Duggar family dress code by wearing above-the-knee shorts.
Sketchy Behavior
Lauren and Josiah’s wedding date was initially rumored to be this summer, but the date abruptly changed.
Trouble In Paradise?
Several insiders confirmed that Josiah and Lauren had changed their minds and decided to get married on New Year’s Eve, which would make for an abnormally long for a Duggar courtship.
Rescheduled AGAIN?!
Now, family sources have confirmed that Josiah and Lauren have decided to get married this summer, possibly as early as July.
Shotgun Stories
As with his sister Joy-Anna before him, Josiah is now staring down the barrel of some persistent shotgun wedding rumors. And as with Joy-Anna, he’s refusing to comment on reports that he broke his family’s courtship rules by engaging in premarital sex.
What’s Next?
Wherever these two go from here, fans are sure to be paying close attention. After all, no Duggar romance has stirred up this much scandal in quite some time.