– Practical Tips and Heartfelt Advice to Help You Have a Happy Marriage –
Hey Beginner Wife
Many women find love, and most make it to the altar. But then what? Saying “I do” is far from guaranteeing a lifetime of happiness. We repeatedly hear that marriage requires work, thoughtfulness, flexibility, evolution, and above all, a commitment. But how to navigate life’s inevitable (and current) challenges with grace, respect, strength, and love is something most of us were not shown how to do.
So whether you’re hoping to tie the knot someday and want to get off on the right foot, married and feeling stuck, or just looking for some supplemental guidance to maintain the solid foundation you and your spouse have already created, this book will give you the practical tools and mindset to make your marriage happy, healthy, empowering, and eternal.
I’ll let you in on a little secret...
Other women don’t have perfect husbands; they’ve simply learned how to enjoy the husbands they have!
In this book I share what worked for me, where I missed the mark (so you don’t have to), and how establishing and sharing a core set of values with my husband not only influenced my early years of becoming a wife, but also how I balanced that role with being a mother of six children. I’ve filled the book with vulnerable confessions and real-life stories to give you an inside view of our marriage. Each chapter is devoted to one of the sixteen essential characteristics that I’ve found to be vital to a happy marriage. And the best part is that each of these characteristics is available to you if you’re willing to do the work.
Do any of these describe you?
You’re preparing for marriage and haven’t had the best examples to emulate.
You’re a newlywed and so far marriage isn’t quite what you imagined.
You’ve reached a point in your marriage where you feel frustrated and “stuck.”
You love your husband, and you’re looking to strengthen your marriage so that it is not only joyful but also enduring.
I’ve been there…
As long as I can remember, I’ve looked forward to growing up and becoming a wife and mother. I envisioned a future as a happily married wife with LOTS of children and LOTS of energy. Except for the energy part, my dream came true. Steve and I married at age 24 and had our first child at age 25. Just shy of our tenth anniversary we were already the parents of three boys and three girls, lived through a devastating earthquake, owned and foreclosed on our home, and experienced a scary tubal pregnancy.
In many ways we were simply surviving. But we wanted more than a hardship story. Our goal was to raise children who would grow up to change the world, and when they left us with an empty house to look each other in the eyes and still see our best friend.
So I devoured marriage books, listened to teachings, and asked ALL THE QUESTIONS from the older married women in my life. I wanted to know what we had to do to come out on top. Steve and I put their advice into practice and kept going.
Today, our children are grown. We are veterans of the little league bleachers, coordinating playdates, bandaging skinned knees, arbitrating our children’s disputes, neighborhood drama, and having the tough late night conversations we needed to keep mom and dad connected and in love.
And now we are getting to enjoy the fruits of nearly four decades of that incredible marriage. Grown children, their spouses, and a growing troop of grandchildren have made for the most amazing, chaotic, fun family get-togethers. It's almost impossible to not sit back and be grateful for the work Steve and I put in every single second. I want that for you too. And it’s TOTALLY within reach.
The good news is, the work, the payoff, the effort, the research, the vulnerability, and the willingness to listen and learn is SO. INCREDIBLY. WORTH IT. It’s my joy to pass on to you what I was lucky enough to receive as I built my marriage: the wisdom of a mentor.
Take your journey even deeper with the
Companion Guide
Discover this invaluable resource that will enrich your understanding of the powerful and practical truths from Michelle’s bestselling book, Hey Beginner Wife. Filled with thought provoking discussions and questions that go beyond heartfelt advice– they will challenge you to wrestle with truth and wisdom as you seek answers in God’s Word for your deepest struggles as a wife (or wife to be).
Wisdom isn’t just knowledge; it’s the daily application of scriptural principles in your home and everyday life. In these pages you’ll discover the spiritual principles that deeply influenced her marriage and inspired each chapter.
Order now:
Designed as an interactive workbook, the Companion Guide provides:
Reflective Questions to apply each chapter to your personal life
Biblical Inspiration with scripture verses to strengthen your marriage
Practical Application exercises to put love into action
Perfect for personal study, small group discussions, or Bible studies, the Companion Guide is meant to be used in conjunction with Hey Beginner Wife: Practical Tips and Heartfelt Advice to Help You Have a Happy Marriage.
About Michelle
Michelle Lentz graduated from UCLA with a degree in English Literature. Using her happy marriage of nearly 40 years as an example, she writes to inspire women to learn from her mistakes, love their husbands well and enjoy marriage. When she's not cheering on her husband Steve, their six grown children, and the ever growing troop of delightful grandchildren, she's curled up with a good book, pursuing a deep conversation, or looking forward to the next wedding so she can hit the dance floor.
What’s Inside Hey Beginner Wife
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Embrace the strength to tackle life’s challenges and build a resilient marriage.
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Discover how to nurture a deep and lasting friendship with your spouse as the foundation for everything else.
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Find harmony between your marriage and extended family dynamics, with grace and boundaries.
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Learn how to find joy in any financial situation, focusing on contentment over comparison.
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Embrace your unique strengths and individuality, bringing your whole self into your marriage.
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Discover how to cultivate generosity that uplifts and strengthens your marriage, no matter the season.
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Explore ways to show respect that empowers both you and your spouse, creating a lasting bond.
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Understand how a healthy, joyful view of intimacy deepens your connection and enriches your marriage.
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Learn the power of forgiveness to heal past hurts and pave the way for a brighter, unified future.
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Put your marriage first by prioritizing selflessness, creating a balanced and thriving partnership.
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Shift your perspective to bring more joy and gratitude into your relationship, even on hard days.
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Let go of unrealistic expectations and find peace in knowing you and your spouse are enough.
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Foster self-control that strengthens trust and stability, helping your marriage flourish.
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Explore the joys and challenges of parenting together, building a strong family foundation.
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Learn the importance of shared values and how they create a firm, united vision for your life together.
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Discover the beauty of commitment and why choosing to stay can be the most rewarding choice.
Order your copy on Amazon worldwide!
Whether you're just starting your journey as a wife or seeking fresh insights, Hey Beginner Wife offers heartfelt, practical advice to help you grow. Purchase the book from your preferred Amazon store:
Order the Companion Guide
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FAQs
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While newlyweds will certainly enjoy this book, women 5, 10, and 15 years into their marriage will also feel seen and supported, as well as single women who desire marriage. Written as a fresh marriage manual, women aspiring to marriage will find the assurance that marriage can work. Newlyweds will appreciate getting an inside view into the basics that strengthen a marriage. And those further in will see themselves in Michelle’s personal stories and find encouragement when they realize it’s not too late to learn something new.
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Readers will learn which character qualities contribute to a happy marriage, and why. Each chapter stands alone and addresses factors that build up marriages or work behind the scenes to destroy a marriage. Of course there’s a chapter on sex, and navigating your relationship with in-laws, but also deep dives into expectations, perseverance, independence, and friendship.
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This book is great for gifting! Most women wish they had an older woman in their lives to confide in, ask questions, and learn from their example; and Michelle is a rare example of a seasoned wife willing to be vulnerable with her first-hand experiences (as seen from her instagram account, HeyBeginnerWife).
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Each chapter ends with a list of practical truths which can be used for personal reflection or group discussion, but there are no exercises or activities.
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Hey Beginner Wife presents the core principles and attributes that contribute to a happy, thriving marriage regardless of the couple’s faith. Michelle’s book is accessible to all women who aspire to a strong, vibrant marriage relationship that will last a lifetime, and give them the tools and insight necessary to achieve such a marriage. As such, you can gift this book to your colleague, cousin, or neighbor no matter what her faith convictions.
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The Hey Beginner Wife: Companion Guide is a faith based workbook for women who want to explore the spiritual principles behind the discussions in Hey Beginner Wife. The Companion Guide follows the structure of Hey Beginner Wife with corresponding chapter by chapter discussions, questions and supportive scriptures. The guide is meant to be read in conjunction with Hey Beginner Wife, and is not a stand alone book.
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Yes, the Companion Guide lends itself to small group discussions, Bible studies, or independent study. Participants will need a copy of both books, Hey Beginner Wife and Hey Beginner Wife: Companion Guide. Group leaders may choose how many chapters to discuss at each gathering. In total, there are sixteen chapters in the Companion Guide.
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Both books are available on Amazon around the world. The books are offered in paperback and Kindle formats.