Hey Beginner Wife
Practical Tips and Heartfelt Advice to Help You Have a Happy Marriage
You started marriage head-over-heels in love, but now the little things drive you crazy. No wife should have to navigate marriage alone—and forty years ago, I was right where you are. That’s why I wrote Hey Beginner Wife with simple, heartfelt advice to come alongside you.
Soon you’ll reframe those small annoyances and enjoy your husband again. Grab your copy today and reclaim the joyful marriage you always dreamed of!
Other women don’t have perfect husbands…
they’ve simply learned how to enjoy the husbands they have!
Michelle W. Lentz understands how marriage can feel both amazing and discouraging at the same time. She explores what works and where she missed the mark (so you don’t have to).
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.
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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 four decades of that incredible marriage. Grown children, their spouses, and a growing group 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.
Prefer Listening?
Hey Beginner Wife is available as an audiobook, narrated by Michelle — so you can listen wherever life takes you.
Available worldwide on Amazon — check your local Amazon storefront for availability.
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.
Take your journey even deeper with the
Companion Guide
Filled with thought provoking discussions and questions perfect for personal study, small group discussions, or Bible studies, plan to read this companion guide in conjunction with Hey Beginner Wife. Here you’ll discover the spiritual principles that deeply influenced Michelle’s marriage and inspired each chapter.
Designed as an interactive workbook, this 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
Still not sure? I’ve recorded a little video for you…
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. It is not a faith forward book, however the last two chapters highlight Michelle's Christian faith, how it influenced her marriage, and how one's faith--regardless of what it is--will inevitably influence your marriage. Her 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.
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If they don’t, please ask your librarian to buy a copy!
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Yes! Audible, Spotify, Google Play, Apple, and Barnes and Noble all feature Hey Beginner Wife. Be sure to check your favorite service, too. Additionally, you can ask your librarian to purchase a copy and make the audiobook available through the library’s audio service.
Available worldwide on Amazon — check your local Amazon storefront for availability.