Michelle Duggar on First Time Meeting Jim Bob Duggar: 'I Felt that God Knit Our Hearts Together'

By Leah Marieann Klett
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar

Michelle Duggar of "19 Kids and Counting" fame recently posted a letter in her family blog in honor of Jim Bob's birthday and their wedding anniversary, and shared the moment she knew God had "knit" their hearts "together."

The couple's 33rd wedding anniversary falls on July 21 - just a few days after Jim Bob's 52nd birthday.

In the letter addressed to Jim Bob, Michelle wrote: I want to wish you HAPPY BIRTHDAY and  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! I'll never forget over 34 years ago when we met!"

"At age 16, I was working at the yogurt shop that your mother managed," she recalled. "You came to the counter where I was standing by the cash register and introduced yourself. You were shy but very sweet! I really don't remember much about that conversation, except that you finally mustered up the courage to ask me if I would go to your junior-senior banquet with you!"

Michelle said "yes" - and is "so thankful" she did.

"I don't think either one of us ate much of our dinner that evening," she said. "We came back to my parent's living room and we sat and talked for four hours about the things of God!"

"You opened up the Bible and shared truth with me from God's word. I remember when you left that evening I prayed,  'Father I've never met a man like this before if this is not the one you have for me, I can't imagine anyone better!'"

On that day, Michelle said, "I felt that God had knit our hearts together! It seems impossible to express my love for you in mere words! I am so grateful to be your wife!

The 50-year-old mother of 19 then shared 100 things she loves about her husband.

"You are a wonderful husband! You are my best friend. You're a great Dad. You attempt to fix the things on my 'honey do' list! You listen to me! You make me feel loved," read the top five.

Michelle concluded: "Our kids are blessed that you are their dad. I respect you so much and I wouldn't trade my life with you for anything! It's an honor to be Mrs. Jim Bob Duggar. I love being by your side. I just love being with you!"

In addition to their 19 kids, Jim Bob and Michelle have eight grandkids - four from Josh and Anna Duggar, two from Jill and Derick Dillard, and two from Jessa and Ben Seewald. The number is only getting bigger; Josh and Anna are having another child in the fall. 

Jill Dillard also got in on the birthday fun, posting a photo on Instagram featuring her father and her firstborn son, Israel.

She captioned the photo: "Happy birthday to my wonderful daddy @duggarfam I am so blessed to have such a great, loving, fun, Godly father. I pray you have a wonderful day today & many more happy years!"

Apart from Jill, Jinger, and her husband Jeremy also greeted the Duggar patriarch on his birthday.

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