Joseph Duggar’s wife Kendra praised him as 'truly selfless' in post nearly 6 years before his arrest

TONTITOWN, ARKANSAS: Kendra Duggar’s past comments about her marriage to Joseph Garrett Duggar are back in the spotlight following her husband's sudden arrest, offering a glimpse into how she once described their relationship during happier times.

Joseph, 31, known for appearing on TLC's ’19 Kids and Counting’, was arrested and charged on Wednesday, March 18, in connection with an alleged unlawful conduct involving a child in 2020.

As the news unfolded, attention quickly turned to his family and his relationship with Kendra. She had earlier praised their life together publicly before everything changed.

Kendra Duggar said she 'absolutely loves doing life' with Joseph

Long before the recent developments, Kendra had painted a warm and affectionate picture of her marriage.

Speaking about their relationship to People in an interview after their wedding in 2017, she had said, “One of the most enjoyable things about being married to Joe is just being together so much.”

She didn’t hold back when describing how close they were. “I can hug him, kiss him, talk with and be with him all the time. Being with your best friend makes marriage amazing,” she added.

In another message shared during their wedding anniversary on September 8, 2020, Kendra praised Joseph’s character. “I absolutely love doing life by your side! There are so many things that I admire about you but one thing that has really been apparent is how truly selfless you are,” she wrote.

She also spoke about how he supported her during a difficult phase, saying he had taken on more responsibilities at home and with their children. “I’m feeling so blessed to call you my husband. I love you to the moon and back,” she added. She signed off the message as “your girl.”

Kendra and Joseph Duggar: Quick courtship and marriage

Kendra and Joseph Duggar’s relationship began through their families as they grew close in church.

They entered a courtship in March 2017 with the goal of seeing if they could “serve and honor God better together than apart,” according to the Duggar family’s website.

Things moved fast from there. Within four months, Joseph proposed, and the couple announced their engagement with excitement.

“We are super excited. It’s great to not be courting anymore, now we’re engaged!” they said at the time.

Kendra admitted at the time that she was overwhelmed in the moment, adding, “I’m so happy and so shocked. There’s so many words I want to say, but just shocked.”

They tied the knot in September 2017, when Joseph was 22 and Kendra was 19, beginning what they described as a joyful new chapter.

Kendra and Joseph Duggar's family life

After their wedding, the couple leaned into family life, often sharing updates about their growing household.

They welcomed their first child, Garrett, in 2018, followed by Addison the next year, then Brooklyn in 2021. Their fourth child, Justus, was born in 2022.

Kendra also shared how surreal some milestones felt, including preparing for her wedding day. “It was definitely strange to see myself… in a wedding dress. You always dream of the day but when it actually arrives, you can’t really believe it,” she said.

Joseph, too, expressed gratitude after their wedding, saying, “We’re so excited to be newlyweds now… we just want to thank all the fans for all your support and your encouragement to us.”

Kendra silent after Joseph Duggar's arrest

Joseph Duggar was booked in Arkansas on Wednesday, March 18, and is currently awaiting extradition to Bay County, Florida, following charges related to an alleged “unlawful" activity said to have taken place in 2020 during a vacation in Panama City Beach.

Authorities said he admitted his actions when confronted, according to a press release. Since the news broke, neither Kendra nor the Duggar family has issued a public statement.

Kendra had already stepped back from social media in 2021, and has not shared any updates about her life or her life with him since then.