‘Counting On’: Justin Duggar announces engagement with Claire Spivey, duo says 'cannot wait to be married'
‘Counting on’ star Justin Duggar announced on Monday, November 16, that he is engaged to girlfriend Claire Spivey. The news comes less than two months after the pair publicly revealed that they had entered into a courtship.
“There is nothing comparable to finding the one you are meant to spend your life with" says the happy couple in a statement to TLC. “We know we have found that in each other. We cannot wait to be married and are looking forward to a life together of faith in Christ, love for one another, and happiness!” The Duggars and Spiveys are old family friends who have known each other for more than 20 years, but Justin and Claire first met in Spring 2019. Justin — the fourteenth child of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar — announced in September that he began courting Spivey. Like Duggar, Claire comes from a large family and is the eldest child of six.
After dining out with a group of friends near Claire’s hometown in Texas, the two got to know each other when Justin came over to spend time with the family. The visits increased and they were quickly drawn to one another. Justin says he knew Claire was going to be his wife within a week of meeting her!
“God brought Claire into my life and I wasn’t really expecting it, but he brought her along right when I needed her" says Justin. "And ever since then, I knew she was the one." Justin and Spivey's relationship was featured on the Season 11 finale of ‘Counting On’, during which they announced their courtship to his family.
Justin's father, Jim Bob, previously explained to People the difference between courtship and dating. "Courting is getting to know each other in a group setting, both families spending time together and the couple setting goals together to determine if they are meant to marry," he said. "With dating, a couple will often pair off alone and that sometimes leads to a more physical relationship."
Few activities that the couple enjoy doing together are reading the Bible and praying together, and snowboarding. Claire likes to hang out in the shop while Justin works on his truck, and he likes to be in the kitchen with her while she cooks. In the evenings they enjoy sharing a soda or going out for ice cream as they shared with TLC. “I’m really looking forward to the memories to come,” says Claire.