These days, Jill Duggar’s relationships are possibly more complicated than ever.
She’s not exactly on speaking terms with some members of her extended family.
Derick has proven to be an important support system for Jill throughout the years.
Believe it or not, Jill and Derick’s story begins a decade ago.
Jim Bob also started looping Jill in on Derick.
“He started telling me about Derick and also told Derick about me!
I listened in on a few phone conversations with my dad without Derick knowing I was doing so.”
“We talked a lot and started texting and emailing,” Jill told People.
“And we Skyped a lot.
I got to know some of his friends and family.
And then, we met in person months later.
I was in love with someone I had never met in person.”
“But it was really special.
We enjoyed the first several days getting to spend time together and getting to see things together.”
It would be years until the couple revealed that their filmed “goodbye” wasn’t the real deal.
Derick met the family and proposed shortly after
Derick Dillard returned to the states in January 2014.
Soon thereafter, he met the rest of the Duggar family.
Jim Bob gave Derick his blessing.
In March 2014, Derick popped the question.
I think I have a song for you guys.'"
As he played, Derick told Jill how he felt and asked her to be his wife.
“I said, ‘Yes, totally!'”
The two were the picture of happy newlyweds.
Just two months later, they announced that they were expecting their first child.
“We’re expecting!!!
“Jill shared on Instagram.
“So grateful to God for this new little blessing!!!”
The couple’s first child, Israel David Dillard, was born on April 6, 2015.
In December 2016, the couple announced their second pregnancy.
Jill shared on theDillard Family Blog.
Samuel Scott Dillard was born on July 8, 2015 (perIn Touch Weekly).
That’s when we made that decision.”
This was just the beginning of the Dillard/Duggar divide.
Months later, the Dillards said things hadn’t made many improvements.
“We were ready to leave and felt strongly about leaving,” Jill toldUs Weekly.
I think it ebbs and flows with a family of that size.
