Somehow time has flown by and I’ve been Mrs. Haines for close to two months! To say it’s been a whirlwind would be a complete understatement. Thank goodness for my wonderful husband for keeping me and us grounded as we get used to our life together as the Haines. Plus a special thanks to my family and friends who have been amazing with advice and newlywed tips over here.
Today I want to pay it forward with a few newlywed tips that we’ve picked up and began to rely on in the last few weeks.
Understand that men and women communicate differently
Rick and I have recognized this from the get-go, but now as we live under the same roof and spend a lot of time together, we’ve had to grow an even deeper understanding of each other’s communication habits. Sometimes I just want to binge watch Bravo and I haven’t communicated properly to the hubby that I just need some me-time. Vice-versa sometimes Rick will be hungry and instead of asking if I am too, he’ll just fulfill his hunger and I’m left annoyed that he didn’t ask me if I wanted anything.
These are silly but real issues us newlyweds face and it doesn’t get any easier! But if you learn to communicate and understand that communication process, marriage is really fun. Case in point, I’ve gotten better at communicating to Rick that I want to just veg out and watch Real Housewives or Top Chef and will go into another room to do so, whereas Rick has worked harder to ask me when and if I’m hungry too.
Marriage is a team sport 
Rick and I had some phenomenal pre-marital counseling with our Pastor, Gary Thomas. There were no topics left untouched in our sessions. One thing that we talked a lot about was being a team, however I don’t think we realized how much this would play a role immediately.
We’ve had to make some tough decisions regarding money, living situations, etc. all in less than two months of marriage, but we’ve done them together as a team. Whether it’s finding time to sit down together over dinner or a quiet time to chat on the couch, keeping the team in marriage is key to happiness and success.
Don’t be afraid to ‘wear-in’ your wedding rings
This has been something that both Rick and I have struggled with! These symbols of our marriage are special to us and we want to take extra special care of them, wouldn’t you? I rarely, if ever take my rings off, except to clean them. Because when you’re wearing a special piece of jewelry 24-7 you want to make sure it still keeps its dazzle and shine.
Thanks to my friends at Jewelers Mutual, I’ve been following their comprehensive cleaning and care guide, which provides me (and you!) time-based checklists so you can keep your ring clean and cared for all year long. I have to admit I was a little worried to wear my ring during excursions on our honeymoon, and even to the normal life escapades like going to a workout class, but because Rick has my engagement ring ensured before he even gave it to me, I can wear and enjoy my ring without worrying.
Jewelers Mutual has been exclusively insuring jewelry for more than 100 years and offers repair or replacement coverage for all types of jewelry and watches. Coverage includes loss, theft, damage and mysterious disappearance (unexplained loss), and goes with you wherever you travel around the world. You might remember I teamed up for a how-to pack jewelry post with Jewelers Mutual last year, see it here.
Whether your newly engaged or a newly married couple, I hope these newlywed tips help! Feel free to drop a line in the comments or shoot me an email if you have any questions on the specifics. We’ve had so much fun becoming the Haines and I cannot wait to share more of our wedding pictures and our upcoming journey in the next few months… re: buying our first home!! Happy Friday!
*Wedding photography by Nancy Aidee
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
