Duggar fans shocked as Joy-Anna mistakenly spills she & Austin defied family’s strict marital rules before nuptials

JOY-ANNA has shocked fans after revealing that she broke her family's strict pre-marital rules before her wedding to husband Austin Forsyth.

Fans have been speculating about a third pregnancy for the Counting On alum.

But in the meantime, Joy-Anna, 24, has let it slip that she broke a major rule of her fundamentalist parents prior to her marriage to her husband Austin, 28.

The reality star took to Instagram on Friday to share a photo and video compilation in honor of the couple's anniversary.

The former TV personality included a plethora of memories throughout her marriage to the home renovator, including snaps with their two kids: Gideon, four, and Evie, one.

Joy-Anna captioned her post: "Happy Anniversary, Austin!
7 years dating, 5 years married! Best years of my life. I love you! Austin."

But fans were shocked to see the timeline of their relationship as the Duggar family are strict fundamentalists who believe in a short courting period before marriage.

Many raced to the comments section to discuss how the super-Christian couple was able to date for a full two years before saying "I do."

"7 years dating? I'm confused but happy anniversary!" one wrote.

After another explained: "They dated for 2 years and have been married 5," the original commenter replied, "I didn’t know any courted for that long.

"I thought it was very quick dating and engagements then weddings all within a year or less," they speculated of the uber-Christian relationships.

"Me either but maybe because Joy was so young...." the second noted.

STRICT RULES

Joy-Anna and Austin come from fundamentalist families who have strict rules regarding dating.

Instead of entering a normal relationship, the Duggars allow their kids to practice courtships.

Courtships stand as relationships with the intention of marrying at the end.

Joy-Anna and her siblings were forbidden from casual dating, and any interactions required supervision.

Couples are not allowed to spend alone time or speak without an overseer present.

During the courting phase, fundamentalist Christians also sternly limit physical touch, as individuals are only allowed to hold hands and show affection with brief side hugs.

According to the rules laid out by parents and the church, couples are also supposed to save their first kiss for their wedding day.

But several of the Duggar children have rebelled from their parent's strict rulings, including Joy-Anna who seemingly dated Austin for years before tying the knot.

BABY ON THE WAY?

Within the five years they've been married, the young pair has welcomed two small children.

Fans believe they could soon be bringing a third into the mix after a series of clues have popped up on social media.

Joy-Anna has been sparking pregnancy rumors for months and fans have even claimed to have spotted a baby bump.

CLUES

Last month, the ex TLC star added fuel to the fire while on a girl's weekend with her friend Carlin Bates.

Photos from the trip showed a close-up of the pair huddled close as they smiled for the camera.

Joy-Anna was dressed casually in a gray tee-shirt, no makeup, and her hair pulled back into a loose bun.

Her friend opted for a white top, her long brunette hair tied in a low braid, and a full face of makeup for the occasion.

The photo seemed to capture the end of the visit as she captioned the post: "So glad I got to spend the weekend with you!"

In a second pic, Carlin snapped the mom of two from behind as she departed carrying multiple bags of luggage and pushing her youngest child Evelyn, one, in a stroller.

She commended her friend's multi-tasking in her caption, which read: "She is super mom."

FAN SPECULATION

Both photos raised suspicions for viewers who noticed Carlin's careful attempt to shield Joy-Anna's stomach from the photos.

The original poster wrote: "Joy visited Carlin this weekend, and Carlin shared only a few photos of her, from awfully careful angles…

"And y’all know Carlin usually posts the shit out of everything. Hiding the bump?"

The thread continued with mixed reviews from fans as some believed another baby could be on the way.