How Jana Duggar Broke Courtship Rules With Husband Stephen Wissman

Jana Duggar, one of the many Duggar children, has recently been highlighted for breaking a few of the family’s well-known courtship rules. According to Us Weekly, the “Counting On” star shared a video that captures the early stages of her romance with her now-husband, Stephen Wissman, including a surprise visit to him at work.

In the video, Duggar and two of her younger sisters make a trip to Nebraska to meet Stephen. Although Wissman is referred to as her boyfriend in the video, the nature of their relationship seems clear. The footage reveals that Duggar didn’t strictly follow the family courtship guidelines.

As seen in the clip, Duggar and Wissman run towards each other and share a front-facing hug. They are also shown holding hands while driving, and Duggar is spotted wearing jeans—all actions that deviate from the Duggar family’s reported courtship rules enforced by parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar.

Us Weekly reports that these rules typically include dating with chaperones, avoiding hand-holding or public displays of affection, and greeting each other with side hugs only. While these guidelines might seem unusual to some, they have been long-standing traditions within the Duggar household.

The couple tied the knot earlier this summer, making Jana the 12th Duggar sibling to get married. In an exclusive with PEOPLE, she expressed her joy and disbelief at finally experiencing her dream wedding.

“For me, it felt like, ‘OK, it’s never coming.’ But now it’s starting to sink in. Reality is starting to set in. And I’m like, ‘Wow, this truly is something that I’ve dreamed of.’ And just to see it coming about is incredible and kind of hard to believe. It’s a dream come true,” Duggar told the outlet.

Jana has since moved to Nebraska, joining Wissman at his home. The couple had been friends for a long time before their wedding, and there is already a family connection as Jeremiah Duggar is married to Wissman’s sister, Hannah.