12 Great Lessons for the First 12 Months of Marriage

By Lauren McCabe Herpich on Wednesday, October 16, 2013

12 Great Lessons for the First 12 Months of Marriage

Earlier this year, I was at a conference in Chicago and overheard someone sharing the purpose of their blog, “It’s all about doing exactly what you want to do in life; what you’re passionate about.  

“It’s about crossing everything off your bucket list long before you kick the bucket.  Living your best life now.  That’s why it’s called Why Not Girl.”

One week later, I received an email from a wonderful friend of mine who said, “There’s someone I want you to meet.  You’ll love her.”

Wouldn’t you know it, the woman was the “Why Not Girl,” Lauren.  

We were introduced over the phone, talked about love, life and marriage and I instantly knew I wanted her to write a guest article.  

If you are a newlywed, this post is just for you!  And if you’re not a newlywed, please consider sharing this with all those you know who are in their early years of marriage.  Enjoy!

Until tomorrow…make it a great day!

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I thought to myself, “What a great concept!  Encouraging women to conquer their fears and pursue their greatest hopes and dreams.”

My husband Chris and I just celebrated our first wedding anniversary last weekend.  While we were spending time together on the balcony of our hotel overlooking Monterey Bay I began thinking of the last 12 months of our lives together and everything that we’ve been through.

Not only had we been married, but we also decided to both take on new jobs (I was starting my own company as well as packing our bags to move from Chicago to the San Francisco Bay Area).  Talk about taking on a lot of change!

But with all of this, I realize that with each month that has passed by, we have both learned a lot about ourselves, the other and how we want to have a happy marriage.

12 Lessons for the First 12 Months of Marriage

Lesson from Month #1 (November): Sharing family time during the holidays is essential.  We’re lucky that we both get to see our families at Christmastime, but we made the decision to alternate families for Thanksgiving.  It’s definitely rough on the family that doesn’t get us this first time around, but it’s a fair way to see them when one set is on the East Coast and the other is in Southern California.

Lesson from Month #2 (December): Before you throw something out, ask first.  When you’re packing up to move 2,500 miles away, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of boxes that suddenly take over your apartment.

But even when you are so desperate to get the job done, it is a good idea to ask your husband if something holds a special meaning before tossing it to make room for all of the new dishes you just got off your wedding registry.  You may not know the hidden beauty of that “ugly” candy dish.

Lesson from Month #3 (January): You don’t always need to talk, especially in the car.  Just because you are not in constant conversation doesn’t mean that your husband doesn’t like talking to you.

Chris and I drove along Route 66 and there were definite stretches of time where we just listened to audiobooks.  I sometimes wondered if it was because he didn’t have anything to say to me, but I quickly learned that a great story narrated by Edward Hermann from Gilmore Girls is just too good not to listen.  (FYI, definitely listen to Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand.)

Lesson from Month #4 (February): Gifts don’t need to cost much.  Since I’m working on building my own website and have given up a steady paycheck, it was hard to justify spending a lot on a Valentine’s Day gift for my husband.  But I also didn’t want him to think that he is going to lose out in the gift department.  So I made him a handmade gift and it turns out that he loves it more than anything I could buy him. 

Lesson from Month #5 (March): Make your own party.  Being an Irish girl from the East Coast who lived in Chicago, I must admit that I was a bit disappointed in the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations here in San Francisco.  But with the help of my husband, we learned that we’re both really creative and can easily have a good time with some beer, green food coloring and each other.

Lesson from Month #6 (April): Celebrate our independence.  Both of us have lived on our own and lead pretty busy lives.  I think it’s safe to say that we absolutely enjoy being with each other, but we also appreciate the time we have to ourselves.  It keeps us who we are and also gives us tons to talk about over dinner.

Lesson from Month #7 (May): Take-out delivery is just a phone call away.  I’m not the best of cooks (fortunately my husband is).  But for those times that I have all intentions to cooking him the best meal after he’s been gone on a work trip and it doesn’t turn out as planned, it’s nice to know that both of us are not against having the great new Indian food place supply us with dinner.  Thank you, Grub Hub!

Lesson from Month #8 (June): Patience is a virtue.  This rule applies even on the golf course. While my husband is a spectacular golfer, he knows that I’m not.  We’ve learned that perhaps nine holes may take as much time as a full round and if a group comes up behind us, there’s nothing worse than a frazzled wife with a club in her hands.

Lesson from Month #9 (July): We may never become regulars of anywhere.  While we may want to one day have a place where everyone knows our name, we realize that it may not be anytime soon.  Right now we’re having a lot of fun exploring the area and doing as much as we can.

Lesson from Month #10 (August): There’s nothing like home sweet home.  Even though both of us like our independence, it’s always nice to get back to see the family.  It puts a lot of perspective on where you are now and where you hope to be 35 years from now.  Thanks, Moms and Dads for showing us two great examples of a happy marriage.

Lesson from Month #11 (September): Good things come to those who wait.  We don’t get summer now until September and while the transition in seasons has been hard on me, I do need to remember that we’re not shuffling through snow for five months out of the year here.  I need to stop complaining on how cold it is.  Heck, it’s not like we have to wear down coats here.

Lesson from Month #12 (October): Time flies when you’re having fun.  If this is the case, then this has been the most fun year of my life.  That being said, I think we both have made a mental note to savor every second that we have together.  If life is going to fly like it has been, then it’s up to us to keep pausing to remember how we felt a year ago and what we hope we feel forever.

 Question:  What were some lessons you learned (or are learning) in the first year of marriage?

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Lauren McCabe Herpich is the founder of Why Not Girl! She recently left her digital marketing position at a Fortune 100 company to take the risk of entrepreneurship and start Why Not Girl!, a website empowering women to try new things, live life as an adventure and say Why Not! Lauren currently lives in Berkeley, CA with her husband Chris and their beta fish Grappe.

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  • Staci

    learn to laugh at absolutely everything.

    • http://www.happywivesclub.com/ Fawn @ Happy Wives Club

      Oh my goodness, yes!

  • Marian Jonkman Sweetland

    We were headed for trouble already within our first year. Soooo, I knew we needed some counselling to fix HIM so we could continue on with our marriage happily. Surprise!!!! Our Pastor counselled us and
    fixed ME. Be ready to accept that you yourself may need to make some changes to make the relationship work. :) It’s quite humbling……but after 28 years, and looking back, I’m so glad we got the help. I’m a better spouse for it.

    • http://www.happywivesclub.com/ Fawn @ Happy Wives Club

      Isn’t that how it always happens? We’re so focused on what others are doing wrong that we don’t stop and look at how we are contributing. So happy you shared this, Marian, and hope many will take heed. <3

  • Pamela Wright

    In our first year (14 years ago) we learnt the importance of remembering that we were now a team and we each had someone to bounce ideas off and to move forward together. Oh and to keep laughing.x

    • http://www.happywivesclub.com/ Fawn @ Happy Wives Club

      Team Wright! <3

  • Gemma B

    LOVE number 8 – I get very frazzled and dangerous when golfing! We’ve only been married 9 months, and I’ve discovered that the most important thing is listening and communication! Another thing I have to remind myself is that the work can wait – washing, ironing, dishes, & housework will still be there later, but the moment may not – take time to spend with each other. (Not always easy to remember when I am up to my elbows in dishes and he excitedly tries to drag me off to see a bug/flower/sunset – but so very worth it!)

    • http://www.happywivesclub.com/ Fawn @ Happy Wives Club

      Oh, how I love this! I was just having this conversation with someone today. Great note, Gemma.

    • Why Not Girl!

      Totally agree, Gemma! In fact, I had to again remind myself of this on Friday when Chris wanted to end the week a bit early and I felt like I had too much to do. As he reminds me, “work will always be there.” These special times are not always guaranteed. – Lauren

  • Cynthia LaForce

    I learned that even though he is not perfect and that he will one day drive me completely insane, I have to stop and think about all the stuff HE has to put up with. AND he still loves ME! Bless his heart, he puts up with a lot.

    • http://www.happywivesclub.com/ Fawn @ Happy Wives Club

      Great reminder to ourselves, right?

    • Why Not Girl!

      Oh, I am so in this boat right now. Not so much with him driving me insane, but the thought that if I were in his shoes, I would have been wondering who I married last year. Good thing I definitely married my “better” half! – Lauren

  • Nikki

    We learned that, no matter how many pre-marital counseling sessions you go through, the reality of marriage is VERY different to the idea but so long as you keep on talking to one another and remember that you are in this together, there is pretty much nothing you can’t do.

    • http://www.happywivesclub.com/ Fawn @ Happy Wives Club

      Yes! “Remember that you are in this together, there is pretty much nothing you can’t do.” That is right on!

  • Alyssa

    What are your suggestions for sharing family time when both sets of parents are divorced (essentially 4 families to see)?

    • http://www.happywivesclub.com/ Fawn @ Happy Wives Club

      Oh my! I have something like that. Not because of divorce but because my husband doesn’t have a relationship with his birth father but does with his stepfather and another person he considers a second father. So between all of them and my family, ever Father’s Day and Mother’s Day is jam packed! Everyone is different but what has worked for us is celebrating special occasions around the date. For instance, for Mother’s Day, we might spend time with one on Saturday and the other two on Sunday. Alot of working but that only comes twice a year. And then we host events/dinner parties that bring everyone together at the same time and that’s always tons of fun. But yes, it can be tricky for sure!

  • Williesha Morris
    • http://www.happywivesclub.com/ Fawn @ Happy Wives Club

      Cute. Those were 12 great ones too :) .

  • Jessica Sowa

    Hi Lauren, I just got married Ocotber 4 and as were standing in customs coming home from our honeymoon my husband got a call that is now relocating us for his job. So I totally understand all your transitions and its comforting to read of someone else having a crazy busy first year of marriage. We’ll be moving 6 hours north within the first 2 months of marriage, his scheudle will change and we’ll be in a completely new environment with no one to hang out with (at first). I am also in the process of finishing my master’s degree so more change is upon us. Thanks for your words of truth adn encouragement on tackling this first year!

    • Why Not Girl!

      Hi Jessica! Congratulations on your marriage and for tackling all of these changes in your first year head on. As they say, the first year is already hard – so why are we making it harder? But they also say that you don’t know where life will take you. So, my response – as long as you are moving through life with the right partner, you’ll be able to handle anything. Just keep being honest with each other, have open communication and don’t be afraid to saying Why Not! to invites from new friends, introducing yourself to new neighbors and enjoying your “me” time. It’s all about balance :)

  • Samantha Koopman

    I can relate to so much of this, especially big transitions! I got married in July, and my husband is active duty army, so not only did I get married but I moved the day after the wedding. Both have been huge changes for me! I will have to definitely remember #4 since I am currently looking for a job while working on my masters degree…maybe something home made would be a good solution to having to buy him a xmas present with money he made!! Marriage is an adventure.

    • http://www.happywivesclub.com/ Fawn @ Happy Wives Club

      Marriage is certainly an adventure. A beautiful (and sometimes messy) one :) .

  • Michelle Zamora, Fresno CA

    The most important lesson I learned was when in an argument asking myself, “is it worth it?” Nine times out of ten, it wasn’t. Most of the time it was ridiculous things that I was upset about! It has saved a lot of arguing after I learned to ask that question.

    • http://www.happywivesclub.com/ Fawn @ Happy Wives Club

      Great question to ask mid-argument. That takes a great deal of wisdom.

  • Dani

    Me and my husband are coming up on our first year, and its been hard. He has lived on his own, being 8 years older then I, and is adjusting to the fact that it’s not just him anymore, there’s an us to think about now. We only knew each other 2 months before we got married (crazy i know) so we have learned a lot about each other this year and adjusting has been difficult. I am learning that I need to communicate to him what I want from him and what I need and He’s learning to check in and not just take off on his own. In a time where marriage is taken so lightly and only for convenience factors it is hard to think of happily ever after, but with the right partner it can be real.