He’s a keeper! Joy-Anna Duggar announced that she has entered a courtship with Austin Forsyth during the TLC special Counting On: Jinger’s Wedding, which aired on Tuesday, November 15.
In the video, Forsyth tells viewers, “I just asked her to enter a courtship with me.” Duggar exclaims, “And I said yes!” The 19-year-old could be the next Duggar to walk down the aisle after her older sister Jinger tied the knot with former soccer player Jeremy Vuolo earlier this month.
Here are five things to know about Joy-Anna’s new man.
1. He’s been friends with Joy-Anna for nearly 15 years.
“We’ve known each other for a long time,” Joy revealed in a TLC video announcing their courtship. “Fifteen years,” Forsyth added, which means she’s known him since she was 4 years old. When he asked her to enter a courtship, Forsyth took her to an outdoor spot where they’ve spent time together before with other friends. “I picked this spot because the last time we were here together was August 1, 2015,” he said. Joy-Anna chimed in, “It was a whole group of us that came up and were just hanging out and it was really late at night. The stars were just gorgeous, so for me, that was really special.”
2. His family owns a Christian camp.
Austin’s parents, Terry and Roxanne Forsyth, own Fort Rock Christian Family Camp and Retreat Center in Combs, Arkansas. The camp features horseback riding, Arkansas’ longest zip line, a firing range, archery, farm animals and more. Both Austin and Joy-Anna are shown in a staff photo on the company’s website.
“We are extremely happy to announce the courtship of our son, Austin!” a message on the camp’s Facebook page read. “He and Joy have honored the Lord and will be a great testimony for his goodness and provision for a spouse! Congratulations to Austin & Joy!”
3. Austin has a reality TV past.
The Forsyths were a host family on season 1 of World’s Strictest Parents on CMT in 2009, taking in two troubled teens. Just like the Duggars, Austin’s family insists that the kids wear modest clothing and take a vow to save sex for marriage and their first kiss for their wedding day. Other rules from the episode include waking up at 6:30 a.m. every morning to work in the family camp and not closing bedroom doors.
4. He’s three years older than Joy-Anna.
While Joy-Anna is only 19 years old, Forsyth is 22. Just like her sisters Jill and Jinger, she opted to date an older man.
5. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar love him already.
In a video on the Duggar family YouTube account, Joy-Anna’s parents say they totally approve of Forsyth. “We’re so thankful for Austin,” Michelle says. “He is a great guy, and we’re excited about the future for what God has in store for you guys.”
