Jessa Duggar Courtship: Reality Star Gets Frisky, ‘Side Hugs’ Her Boyfriend

Jessa Duggar has started a wonderful new phase in her life: courting. But don’t get any dirty ideas. The daughter of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar recently started dating Ben Seewald and the two have already started side hugging.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: What’s side hugging?

Well, Jessa is saving her first kiss for marriage so the 20-year-old has to find other ways to show her affection to Ben. One of those ways is apparently pressing the side of her body against the side of his body.

Michelle said: “Dad allowed them to do a side hug when they were officially courting… Jessa and Ben have said that was the only contact they would have, when they initially greet each other, when he comes to visit for their first hello, they have a quick 30-second-or-less side hug and a goodbye side hug, and they agreed that would be the only contact they should have.”

That might sound like a lot of physical contact but Jib Bob said that Jessa and Ben have only just begun dating. In fact, Michelle said that the two are “courting” now which is slightly different than dating.

Jim Bob said: “Courting is getting to know each other in a group setting… With dating, a couple will often pair off alone, and that sometimes leads to a more physical relationship.”

ABC reports that Jessa Duggar and her new boyfriend met through the church. They couple bonded over scripture and recently decided to start courting. According to Jim Bob, that decision involves the entire family: Jim Bob, Michelle, and all 19 children.

Jim Bob said: “Both families spending time together and the couple setting goals together to determine if they are meant to marry…. All of our family is involved in this relationship. It is an exciting time.”

[Image Via Duggar Family Blog]