Jill Duggar Met Her Boyfriend Online, Dad Jim Bob Duggar Played Matchmaker

Jill Duggar could be walking the aisle soon, and the 19-year-old has her parents and the internet to thank for finding her Mr. Right.

The 22-year-old,, who became famous from her appearance on the reality show chronicling the Duggar family’s 19 kids, met boyfriend Derick Dillard on Skype in a relationship arranged by her dad.

Derick had actually sent an email to Jim Bob Duggar, Jill’s father, to share some of the work he was doing. After the two hit it off, dad decided to introduce Derick to his daughter.

“I had gotten an email from Derick a few years ago and gave him my phone number so he could share the work he was doing in Nepal,” Jim told People magazine. “I was impressed with him as I got to know him over the years. He sounded like an amazing young man. I felt like from the beginning, they had similar personalities and goals. I thought they would hit it off.”

Jill Duggar soon started texting the 25-year-old Derick, and the two talked on Skype as well.

Even before the two met in person, Jill said she was falling for Derick.

“We got to know each other in the first few months pretty quickly. I was in love with someone I had never met in person, but we really knew each other well,” she said.

Later, Jim Bob took his daughter to Nepal to meet Derick, and Derick moved back to the United States to be near the family as he courts Jill.

The relationship between Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard is a main feature on this season of 19 Kids and Counting, which also highlights her sister Jessa’s courtship with boyfriend Ben Seewald.

“This is such a precious season of life,” said Michelle Duggar, the family’s matriarch. “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.”

If Derick Dillard does end up getting married to Jill Duggar, it could be a bit of a culture shock. He comes from a family with just one other sibling, but said he’s getting used to her 18 brothers and sisters.