Jim Bob Duggar Visits Marriage Retreat, Praises Wife Michelle As His ‘Best Friend’

The Duggars recently took a trip to a marriage retreat, but it wasn’t to get help in their union. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar announced on their Facebook page late Monday that they paid a visit to a northwest center for a speaking engagement.

“Michelle and I had a special time,” Jim Bob explained of their venture to Fort Rock Marriage Retreat in St. Paul, Arkansas. “I love spending time with my best friend!” His post included a shot of he and his wife of 32 years smiling at the woodsy locale, which also serves as a weekend family camp.

The retreat’s website reveals the couple shared “the Godly principals for keeping a vibrant, Christ-like marriage” alongside fellow guest speaker Evangelist Tom Harmon for their 5th annual fall marriage retreat. Tickets for the event cost $275.00. Jim Bob and Michelle served as speaker at last year’s event as well. At the time, they wrote they were having a “special time” and were celebrating “beautiful truths,” according to Wet Paint.

Jim Bob and Michelle haven’t been shy in their willingness to speak at public functions. Any email to the Duggars results in an automated response which reveals as much. Unfortunately for fans, the couple and their 19 kids say they must turn down fan requests to attend birthday parties and weddings.

“Unfortunately, due to the number of invitations and our schedule we cannot entertain invitations to personal events such as birthday parties and weddings. We wish we could go to everything!” reads an automated response from the Duggars in August. “If you have expressed interest in our family speaking at a public event we will respond as soon as possible.”

Jim Bob’s post comes just days after he and Michelle publicly wished their eldest son, Josh Duggar, a happy anniversary on Facebook. It’s been no secret he and wife Anna Duggar have faced troubles in their eight-year marriage. Josh attended treatment for six months earlier this year after admitting to having a pornography addiction and to being unfaithful. The pair are now in marriage counseling and the parents made sure to send well wishes to them, writing, “We are so thankful for God’s redemptive love in your lives.”

Duggar fans can keep up with the family Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EDT on TLC’s “Counting On.”