The Duggars have clearly changed the way they approach love and courtships since the end of their TLC shows. Things feel a bit more relaxed and looser these days, but it still seems like the family must approve of a partner before they are welcomed into the fold. Because of this, when a new lady or gentleman appears in a family photo, we can assume that things are quickly approaching marriage. It is how we knew Jason Duggar would be headed for the altar quickly after Jana Duggar’s wedding. If our assumptions are correct, James Duggar is currently courting and is likely to get married in the next year. So, who is his special lady, and how do we know things seem serious?

James Duggar is believed to be courting Lydia Swanson after pictures of them surface

It appears that James Duggar may be courting, and his mystery partner is well-known to the Duggar family. James, along with many of his family members, recently celebrated Michelle Duggar’s birthday at the beach. One of the many celebrations included family photos. In a family photo circulating on Instagram, which appears to have been taken while Jana Wissmann filmed content for YouTube, James Duggar is seen standing with a woman who appears to be his guest.

James, notoriously single, clearly brought a love interest on the family’s beach trip, and that means things have moved past the friends stage and have either resulted in engagement or will culminate in engagement soon. James Duggar isn’t courting just anyone, though; based on the photos, it appears he’s dating Lydia Swanson, the sister of James’ sister-in-law, Lauren Swanson. While the family has yet to confirm James’ love interest’s identity, the family resemblance is hard to hide. Several Reddit users suspect the blonde is, in fact, Lydia. The young woman, who bears a remarkable resemblance to her older sister, also appeared in photos taken during Jim Bob’s birthday celebration in July. Michelle’s birthday festivities took place in September.

James Duggar, 24, is Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s 13th child. He and Jackson Duggar, 21, are the only unmarried Duggar brothers. Sisters Johannah, Jennifer, Jordyn, and Josie are the youngest members of the family and are all unmarried, as well.

Lydia Swanson’s sister has already married into the Duggar family

Assuming James and Lydia do make it to marriage, theirs will be the second marriage between the Duggars and the Swansons. Lydia’s older sister, Lauren Swanson, is married to Josiah Duggar. The pair wed in 2018. While they initially appeared on Counting On, they opted for total privacy after the series ended. They have three or four children together, though only the birth of their first daughter was announced. Josiah and Luren were absent from the beach trip.

James and Lydia’s pairing wouldn’t be the first time siblings married into the family. Jana Wissmann and Jeremiah Duggar are also married to siblings. Jeremiah married Hannah Wissmann in 2022. Jana married Stephen Wissmann in a shocking twist in August 2024. Before linking up with Lydia, rumors even swirled that James had his eye on Kendra Caldwell’s sister, Lauren Caldwell. The rumored pair never announced a relationship, though. Kendra has been married to Joseph Duggar since 2017.