"Before Josiah came into the picture, my dad was my very best friend. I really value my dad's opinion. I really wanted him to be a part of [wedding dress shopping]."
-Lauren Swanson (now Lauren Duggar)
In this promo clip for tomorrow's new episode of Counting On, Lauren Swanson visits yet another wedding gown shop, The White Dress Boutique in Rogers, Arkansas. She knows exactly what she wants but hasn't been able to find it other stores. Like many brides, Lauren brings along her bridesmaids, mother, and future mother-in-law. But unlike most other brides, she also invites her dad to join her.
Photo/video courtesy TLC
I’d rather have my dad not come to my dress fitting. That way he’ll be surprised when he sees me on my dress on my actual wedding dress
ReplyDeleteMy dad didn't come. He's not a shopper or a fashion expert. But he did see the dress hanging in the house for a long time, as my mother did alterations. There's nothing magical about hiding a dress until the back doors of a church open. It doesn't cast any type of luck guarantee on a marriage!
DeleteI know there is no “stigma” connected with seeing the dress. I just like seeing people’s first reaction to the dress.
DeleteWhy does your dad need to be surprised by your wedding dress?
DeleteMy dad knew what I looked like, knew I was getting married, and knew I'd probably be wearing a big white dress. So how exactly I was supposed to "surprise" him, I can't figure. I would have had to dye my hair pink that day or something. "Surprise!"
DeleteIt is just different having your dad when your looking for wedding dress. Her dress was so plain in front. The back of her dress was nicer than the front.
ReplyDeleteThe more Lauren speaks, the more I like her. She is very well spoken and mature for her age. She is a sweet girl. Josiah’s lucky to have her!!
ReplyDeleteI agree. She has her head on straight and seems to know what she wants. She got an Associate Degree at the same time she worked on her HS diploma by home schooling. There is also something to be said by being physically in a classroom. I think that helped, too. I hope she decided not to be a nurse because she didn't want to be a nurse, not just because, as she said, she did not take to school. Most of the courses she probably took were general, like history or writing, anyway. You need them, but being a nurse is different from the early years of study. I hope she decides to continue.
DeleteTime 7:17PM Sun 9/16/18
ReplyDeleteHi Lily & Ellie this is NEDDY Constant I have a question to ask is Lauren half Hispanic?
She said previously that she was part Salvadoran
DeleteI am not sure if she is half hispanic, but I believe she mentioned there is some background from El Salvador.
DeleteShe is 1/4 Hispanic/ Salvadoran on moms side I believe.
DeleteShe's 100% American now and always will be. I don't go around claiming I'm German or French, although my family tree is full of those people. How far back do you need to go anyway? I'm probably from some entirely different continent, maybe one that never even had a name...maybe a cave somewhere...
Delete4:02 she was just asking. Lauren has striking features so of course it's natural to wonder what ethnic background she has. I've been asked if I was Arab by other Arab women. I'm not, but they told me they thought I looked Arab. I had people ask my brother if he was half Mexican because he was so dark, especially after being in the sun. I attribute these features mentioned to our Romanian background. And I'm proud told it!
DeleteNothing wrong with asking the ethnic heritage of an American.
DeleteWhile I find it interesting that Lauren's dad would come along, I am not sure why we are going back almost 3-4 months to talk about wedding planning again???? How about some new material like updates on baby Garrett or Gideon?
ReplyDeleteThis is where the show is at. The show does not run on live time, being four months behind is really not bad
DeleteI agree. I would rather they do it in order even late rather than jump back and forth.
DeleteI am just tired of the wedding dress shopping and wedding planning all together. It is now boring after we have had so many now. I would just rather tlc skip right to the wedding after showing courtship and proposal.
DeleteTime 7:18PM Sun 9/16/18
ReplyDeleteI hope one day I will get married. Lauren & Josiah are a perfect match.
As hard as it is for humans to wait, we just have to see what God has planned, in God’s time. When God’s plan happens, for you, you will understand and be amazed! From your posts, I think that you will be a sweet, caring wife.
Delete10:24 Where exactly does "God's plan" come into play when you never get married, get divorced, or marry someone who's abusive? God wanted that person to suffer?? I never hear anyone explain that.
Delete12:56- I believe that we are all at the mercy of time, chance and our own choices, whether good or bad. If God gave us free will, it stands to reason that we are the captains of our own ship, charting the course and steering through whatever nature throws at you. I also beileve that what's most important for us to learn is how to deal with the bad things that are sure to happen at some point in our lives. As to why God allows people to suffer, some much more than others, is a mystery. Some would tell you it's because we live in a fallen world. I would counter with the fact that no one asked to be born, let alone into circumstances that are abusive, neglectful, a war zone, or any number of horrifying situations. Children are innocent. If there is a higher power, he's got some explaining to do.
DeleteAnon 12:56. God's plan for each of us is that we know Him, that we love Him and that we be with Him forever. That is His ultimate plan for everyone. But as far as marriage, we are free to get married or free to stay single. We are free to ask God to help us find a spouse and go places such as Church, Christian singles meetings etc. and trust God to lead you to that person in these places. If someone commits adultery on us we are free to divorce. Because of sin in the world and in us we have no guarantee that a person won't commit adultery but God has made a provision for us and that is if someone does do that we are free to divorce or stay. If someone abused us in the marriage such as physical abuse, God has made provisions for us there too, and that is you call the law on them. God said He has put magistrate's in the land for those who have no fear of God. If their conscience and lack of fear of God doesn't stop them from hitting you, the law will stop them. God loves us and wants the best for us and said He was for us and never against us.
Delete12:56 pm: God isn't causing the suffering. People have free will. Those abusive spouses chose to be abusive. They could have chosen to be loving, but nope, they decided to be mean instead.
DeleteI will never believe that "sin" has anything to do with innocent children who are born into abominable situations. Nor is it a problem of "free will" on the part of the child.
Delete6:44 I like the last half of your answer. A sensible view of things.
12:56.. it's important to pray and ask for God's Guidance. I know many people who are very happily not married. I know people who were sad because they couldn't have kids, but God turned it around for good and they are still living fulfilling lives.
Deletei miss watching counting on
ReplyDeleteon TLC i have directv but had to downsize the program package because it cost to much we had got hit with hurricane Harvey last year lost the house we were living in and the house we had started to build on the property was damage too. so we move in their thank you Jesus but we still have to fix it fema would not give much help for what we loss i.m on disability and work part time and my husband just got approve for disability but did not give him any money i though i could go to TLC on line and watch for free but no have to have directv witch i do but not that TLC on it so i can.t watch counting on and other show on TLC i want to if anyone know how i can get it free or pay them so i can received it please let me know. i been watching you cent you all was little God bless you all and keep counting om
Disability is for people that can’t work. It’s not supposed to be an additional supplement to income...
DeleteI got flooded out of my house as a teenager so I know how it feels. However, FEMA isn't responsible for providing brand new homes and furnishings for everyone. You're supposed to have flood insurance on top of homeowner's if you're at risk. This is first and foremost the individual's responsibility, not the government's.
Delete3:01- your comment is very distasteful. She didn't imply it was additional income. She is telling her struggle and how she watches TLC- try being nicer
DeleteUnknown, TLC should be included with the basic directv subscription. Contact customer service and ask why the channel isn't included in your package. You can download the tlcgo app and see some, if not all, of the episodes and content related to Counting On. Also, iTunes sells episodes and season passes. I'm so sorry this year has been so difficult and that you're still feeling the effects of Hurricane Harvey.
Delete3:01 - My understanding was that individuals on disability could work a certain number of hours and still get benefits. Many times people on disability want to work, but their conditions make it difficult to work a 40 hour work week or to consistently work. Maybe it depends on whether the reason they are on disability is due to a chronic condition or it is temporary? My apologies if I have the system incorrect.
Actually you are incorrect. You can receive disability if you can only work minimal hours. For instance, my son cannot work a lot of hours due to a physical and mild intellectual disability. Believe me the amount of disability he receives is not even enough to pay a utility bill. Which means he cannot afford the price of an apartment and still pay for food. Which his alottment for food assistance is barely $50 for a month.
DeleteWhile I am sorry for what you have experienced due to hurricane Harvey, many people cannot afford cable or satellite services. The shows are some times on YouTube or come to the blog where you can see snippets and recaps.
DeleteAnonymous 3:01 — people who can only work limited part time may very well be able to receive disability. Social Security disability allows recipients to earn a percentage of their benefit. Benefit payments are low making it difficult to manage financially and people need to feel useful and valued, working helps heal the heart and souls of the disabled.
Because you offered the details, may I ask what you and your husband receive disability for Unknown @8:43?
DeleteAnon 301 are you on disability payments that cover all your needs? Where I live it is impossible to get all the basics with what little is provided. Most of us want to work as well even though we are considered disabled.
DeleteAnswer this, someone: Why did my friend who has MS and keeps falling in the work parking lot and the steps into work get turned down for disability recently, while another friend's 45 y.o. son who was "traumatized" by a verbally abusive father as a child, and now claims to have PTSD, has been getting his disability check for years? He sits home all day smoking and playing video games. The MS patient is still working but looking for a new job. I don't understand the criteria for getting disability. Makes little sense.
DeleteThe tlcGo app only works if you subscribe to the tlc channel in your tv provider's package. And this is the case with most channel apps.
DeleteIt takes awhile to get on disability. You are always denied once but you have to keep fighting. Then you have to report your income and if it's too much, you have to pay it back I believe. I have a friend who has been on disability for years and made a mistake on her paperwork. She had to see her Dr. In order to get approval to get back on Social Security. You really have to watch and make sure everything is correct or they make life heck. Thankfully they accepted her back on.
Delete1:04 have your friend keep fighting for it. You're right tho, you barely make enough to live on it. You get these welfare cases who can work just fine but get money for having babies. They all know how to milk the system and are stealing from those who actually need it. It needs to change.
my dad actually picked out my dress! he and mom were walking thru a store in the mall and he saw it & said he thought it looked like me. mom took me to see it & that was it! that was the extent of my dress shopping, lol
ReplyDeleteLauren's dad could be Jim Bob's younger brother. He talks like him, looks a bit like him, and even has some of the same mannerisms. And Lauren's mom is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteLauren is a very smart girl
ReplyDeleteIt’s annoying that Jinger is talking about the difficult logistics of finding a dress and being concerned about cost, since we know she, Joy, and Kendra all had several free custom-made gowns to choose from.
ReplyDeleteThey may not have been completely free but you know the show and Renee had to work with them to cut the cost way down in return for the footage and the advertising. That video won't play, but I'm disappointed anyway to hear that Jinger said that.
DeleteI think for some people it can be a difficult task to find the dress you want. It depends on your personality. Some girls dont care too much what it looks like, some girls are just Plain Jane style, and some girls really like to take the time to make sure it is just what they want. People are different.
DeleteYou don’t know what the price was for Jingers dress, and you could have ten gowns made for you and not like any of them. Honestly I think that would add more stress knowing that someone made dresses specificity for you and you might not like any of them
DeleteYup. The “frugal” thing is really old now.
DeleteYes, I think it’s sad jinger said that. We all know the girls get thier dresses for a fraction of the cost if not for free bc tlc pays for it and it’s big advertising for the dress company. I don’t believe the Duggars are frugal anymore bc tlc has given them the income they need to support such a large family. I’m glad they can afford things now instead of having all those kids crammed in a tiny house and the children having to sneak food and eat it in the bathroom so as to be able to get a small morsal of nutrition...and yes Jill admitted to having to sneak food and hide in the bathroom in order get a meal.
DeleteThere was nothing annoying, in my opinion, about Jinger's comments. 1) She said she had to make a quick decision about a dress because she had a short engagement. 2) She said if her dad had come along, he would have looked at the price. She did not say that she chose a 'cheap' dress or anything.
DeleteI don’t recall anyone saying the dresses designed by Renee were gifted to any of the Duggar brides at no cost. There was no discussion of cost, just because they didn’t talk about it doesn’t mean the dresses were free. There has never been any statement that TLC pays for the dresses either. I think there are lots of assumptions and no facts being presented in this post.
DeleteIt would just be refreshing for them to be real and honest with viewers and acknowledge how their lives are different now with the show rather than pretending nothing has changed.
DeleteThere are so many facets of their lives where those words now apply, 8:44. I thought that doing things on pretense was akin to not telling the truth?
DeleteI love it that Lauren's dad went wedding dress shopping! It's a special moment for dads too!
ReplyDeleteHow sweet Lauren of you to invite your dad along! That was very precious. It shows that they tried hard to have a relationship with you and vice versa. A lot of dads today don’t want to be bothered (children an inconvenience) or could care less to be involved in their children’s lives. You are a very blessed daughter indeed!
ReplyDeleteI think you're talking about a very small number of Dads...dads who are not interested in their children's lives. I think most dads love their children to the moon and back, but don't go wedding dress shopping because they either don't pay attention to fashion, or they want to keep that emotional moment of seeing their daughter in her wedding dress to the wedding day.
DeleteI don't think "a lot of dads" think of children as an inconvenience. I think you're inflating that number.
DeleteThere are different ways that a parent can show their love and support for their children. It doesn't mean they have to be involved extensively in their lives once they are grown. My dad was the most loving and caring person I'd ever known, but shopping with me? No way- not his thing! My husband would never think to shop with our adult kids, but he loves them dearly. He shows his love by checking over their cars before they leave- oil, tires, etc. as well as makng sure everyone is well fed before they go. It's a fine line that parents walk and it's all too easy to become overbearing and forget our children need their space.
DeleteI think Anon at 10:46AM was referring to the many men who have no relationship whatsoever with their children, beyond sending a child support check to the "baby mama", or perhaps not even that.
DeleteSome very promiscuous "ladies men" don't even know (or care) exactly how many children they have fathered along the way.
There are also many men who WANT to have relationships with their children, but are prevented from doing so by vinditive ex-wives or ex-girlfriends.
Most fathers I know are very involved in the lives of their children. They may not go dress shopping but they do many other things for and with their children. Their children are not an inconvenience,far from it. In fact, they work hard to provide for their children.
DeleteI would not want my dad to go wedding dress shopping with me and we are best friends. That to me is a mother daughter moment. Dad gets th surprise of seeing his little girl looking all grown up and beautiful at the wedding. That is how mine went and I wouldn't change a thing.
DeleteBoy 9:43, that's using a broad brush to paint a very broad and unfair picture of men.
DeleteThis is Anon at 943 again. I never stated that ALL men are like that. But it is a sad truth that MANY men have no meaningful relationships with their biological children, which most of the other replies did not address. I also did mention that sometimes, that is not the man's decision, but that of the mother of the child, to cut the father out of the child's life.
DeleteThankfully this was not the case for me, but I know many people whose fathers did not stick around, including my own mother. Her father (my grandfather) abandoned the family when she was young, and I never met him.
Sweet that Lauren wanted her dad there too. Lauren looks so much like her mom...Jane
ReplyDeleteJust one thing to say "no foxes in the hen house"!
ReplyDeleteTLC On Say Yes to the Dress often has dads at the dress day. Most of the time dad is paying for the dress and wants to make sure daughter is getting what she wants and looks best in.
Delete11:30am, I have heard that saying on “Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta.” But I think that the owner is referring to grooms not seeing their brides in their dress until the come down the aisle, not keeping out dads, brothers, friends, etc.
DeleteSheesh, somebody trys to make a joke and you all take it so seriously. Some Duggar fans have no sense of humor, lighten up!
DeleteI find it odd/sad Lauren’s best friend was her Dad. I have always been very close with my Dad, but my best friends through life have been peers or siblings.
ReplyDeleteFriends are friends...parents are parents...spouses are spouses. I don't know why anyone has to try to mix and match those. They all serve important and separate purposes.
DeleteI would have to say my dad was my best friend too until he died of cancer when I was 25. I would have loved him to be able to have come wedding dress shopping with me but unfortunately that was impossible. I actually decided early on not to have a big white wedding as my mum died on my 12th birthday so as I didn't have either of my parents & no siblings I just wanted a quiet small civil ceremony. However I will look forward to seeing this episode of counting on when it returns to TLC in the UK & see Lauren's dad go shopping with her. She seems such a lovely girl & I loved the simplicity of her dress in the pictures I saw on line. There is nothing wrong in saying your dad is your best friend & I wish more dads were involved like this in preparing for their daughters wedding.
DeleteMy best friend forever is my mother. I'm glad your best friends are peers and siblings because that works for you. Don't judge others.
DeleteWhy in the world is that sad?!?! I think it's sweet and wonderful.
DeleteMy dad is one of my best friends, and I've never felt sad. If a dad acts like a friend, does stuff with you, and talks to you, friend to friend, why not have them as friends? Placing age limits or "peer limits" on friends can prevent some of the best friendships!!
DeleteParents will never be "friends" unless you take away that parenting role from them. And I don't know many parents in their right minds who ever give that up. Just like your "friends" should never act as "parents" to you.
DeleteThank you @1:13. I am the OP, and was unfairly taken out of context. I stated I, have always been close with my Dad, but would not say “best friend” as that negates the parental role. My best friends don’t discipline me nor did they raise me. They help keep me accountable, but discipline is for authority of parents. In fact my friends who are best friends with their parents generally have little respect for authority as they were raised to be “equal” with adults/parents.
Delete1:13, I can see where you're coming from, but I do know some parents who ARE both friends and wonderful parents to their children. To many people, age and "stage" doesn't matter. If a parent can have their child's respect while being able to be someone their child can look up to, talk to, and spend time with, as they would a friend, so be it!
DeleteWhy can't Lauren's father also be her friend? A best friend is someone you share a special bond with, and I don't think it in any way diminishes the role of her father as a parent.
DeleteSome of you seem to be mistaking the emotional closeness (love) you can have with a parent for the closeness of a friend. They should be completely different roles. Your parents love you, but they also have to be the ones to set boundaries and to maintain discipline. They should not be confiding in you like a friend. There are too many troubles and confidences in an adult's life that children, especially young ones and teens, should not be hearing from a parent. Children should not be used as "friends" that way; adult friends should. Your parents should be encouraging you to develop your own friendships with people your own age, friendships you'll need for the rest of your life, even after your parents are gone.
DeleteI think when the child is older and they refer to parent as a friend that is ok. Not when they're younger and definitely not when they are teens!
DeleteI adore Lauren, she is gorgeous, intellegent, mature, well spoken and has a fun, playful sense of humor, pefect for Josiah! Her family is sweet and I find it special Dad was invited to shop for wedding dresses! I look forward to Counting On every week, but I especially like getting to know Lauren, she is a joy! Looking forward to 'meeting' Abbie as well! The Duggar boys are lucky finding such jewels to share life with!
ReplyDeleteI found it strange that they gave her three dresses with lace on it when she specifically said she didn’t want lace. There are plenty of dresses out there that fit her wishes (fabric, neckline, beading) as the style she went with is rather popular right now. So either the shop has a more “dated” selection or the sales woman just didn’t listen to her. Either way- wouldn’t want to make me shop there.
ReplyDeleteLauren said she did her homework and did NOT want lace. I’m guessing she communicated that the the store owner prior to arriving; yet her first 3 dresses were all lace!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if the store owner simply wanted to show off those other dresses in stock, or was told to have a bunch of dresses just for filming? It was strange, tho. I wouldn't have been surprised if the one dress was picked out ahead of time, privately, and the rest played out for the cameras. How else did the store just "happen" to have the perfect dress that day?? And Lauren just "happened" to have a tank top along to go under it to cover that sheer back. Uh huh.
DeleteLauren "happened" to have a white tank top with her, because most wedding dresses aren't modest, so she already knew she would need coverage when trying on dresses.
DeleteIf she was only trying on "modest" dresses then there was no need to bring along a tank top. Every dress shop has fabric panels to drape a dress or to simulate sleeves where there aren't any. She knew exactly what dress she was after, and what she'd need to wear under it on camera.
DeleteThe scene was certainly edited but that's not the same as Lauren having already chosen the dress in advance. We don't know if she only tried on 4 dresses there, just because that's all we saw. I'm sure there were other dresses she tried on, both at this store and at others, but they weren't shown on TV, because there is limited time to show it. That's different than the deliberate deception some posters think went on.
Delete3:01, some people still work part time while on disability but are unable to work full time because of medical issues. I wish people would stop stating things as fact when they don’t know what they’re talking about. My dad was on disability because he could hardly walk due to a bad knee, but he still had a part time job for awhile that didn’t require much walking. Because of the knee and other medical issues, though, he would have been unable to handle a full time job like he could before his medical problems. You’re allowed to work a certain number of hours while receiving disability.
ReplyDeleteWhy should jou bring a newborn to a shopping trip. It wil take a lot of time?
ReplyDeleteNewborns should travel with Mom if she's going to be gone for a while! She can nurse the baby as needed, and the baby will probably spend a good part of the time sleeping. Newborns aren't that hard to take care of.
DeleteJoy sat there picking at Gideon's scalp...that grossed me out.
DeleteI’m guessing because both Lauren’s mom and Joy are breastfeeding.
DeleteYou pump ahead, freeze it, and then someone can babysit for an afternoon....
DeleteIt's so easy to travel and do stuff with Infants. It's when they start walking, that is the challenge!
DeleteFor me, pumping was way more of a hassle than just bringing the baby.
DeleteGee, what a shame that breastfeeding is a "hassle."
DeleteI wouldn't want my dad at the fitting when i pick my dress out but him seeing it before ceremony is ok
ReplyDeleteIts just a dress.
ReplyDelete