Welcome to The First Years of Marriage Newsletter! We talk about the conversations, challenges, and changes that begin once the honeymoon ends. Advice from experts, mistakes from me (Jen Glantz), and things you’re going to want to know as you continue to ask yourself this question - “I’m married, ow what?”

Dear Sweet Friend,

Jen here! Life has been wild lately. Here’s what I mean by wild…

I could go on and on about the things I have learned since becoming a mom and how it’s impacted my marriage.

Instead, I want to share some takeaways that Adam and I had before we became parents. We prepared, a little bit, so that when we had a baby, we could have some good foundations in place.

Read on to see what I mean. Plus, read this:

If You're Thinking of Having a Baby...

After we got married, my husband and I started having heated conversations about when we'd start trying to have kids.

Early on in our relationship, the idea of starting a family together sounded exciting. As the years went by, I started to panic. I wanted to focus more time on my career as an entrepreneur and the idea of becoming a new mom seemed like something I wanted to push off in the distant future.

Last year, after we talked through the hesitations I had about having a baby now and the reasons he was ready to start a family as soon as possible, we decided to meet somewhere in the middle.

Instead of rushing to get pregnant, we signed up for a short childbirth education class. It helped us both wrap our heads around the changes, complications, and confusion that would enter our lives once a baby did.

Here are my 5 biggest takeaways from the childbirth class that helped me decide to get pregnant a few months later and prepare for a life with a baby.  

We needed to change our life before a baby would

During the class, we learned a lot about how having a baby can change everything about your life, from your sleep habits to your priorities.

My husband and I had only been married for two years, so I felt like we had a lot of unresolved items on our to-do list. If we didn't do them before we had a baby, I feared we never would.

We sat down and each wrote three big-ticket things we wanted to complete before having a baby. These were a mix of things that either benefited our future together or were fun activities we knew could be harder to do down the line.

I wanted us to start working with a financial advisor so we could sort out investments, retirement plans, and various insurances. My list also included a week-long trip to Montana that I'd dreamt of taking for years and a renovation of our bedroom space. 

Getting a head start on doing these things that we'd been putting off helped clear our priority list and make space for life with a baby.

I wanted to start saving money as soon as possible 

One of the biggest takeaways that stuck with me from the class was how expensive it can be to have a child. In the newborn phase, you might find yourself spending thousands of dollars just to fit your home with everything the baby needs, from a crib to diapers. 

Giving birth in the US also costs money and, depending on your insurance coverage, could be over $10,000. 

My husband and I had already started saving for future goals together, like a down payment on a house and our retirement, but we didn't have a baby fund.

When the class ended, we both committed to putting aside $100 a month into a joint savings account that we'd eventually use to fund things we needed for the baby and pregnancy. 

We could research some key decisions before we had to make them 

There are a lot of decisions you have to make when you have a baby, from how you want to try to feed them (breastfeeding or formula) to what pediatrician you want them to go to.

In the class, I started to make a list of every single decision we'd have to make as new parents. That way, we could start researching each one and writing a rough plan of action.

We came up with a list of local doctors (for the baby and for me) so we could start interviewing them ahead of time and a plan for how we'd prefer to do childcare (and added those costs into our savings goals). We even signed up for more classes to help us learn more about sleep schedules, feeding a baby, and more, so we could make more informed decisions in the future. 

This helped us be proactive about a lot of the potential stressors that could occur during pregnancy, which can be overwhelming on its own.

I researched ways to manage the pain and some of the unknowns 

One of my biggest fears about having a baby was physically giving birth. Learning about childbirth during the class scared me more. 

When the class ended, I decided to do all of the research and planning I could before getting pregnant.

I met with a doula to learn more about pain-management techniques, spent a few hours drafting a birth plan with my partner that we'd continue to edit when we were expecting, and signed up for more childbirth education classes on topics like push preparation (for labor and delivery). 

As someone who likes to know all of the details before doing something, this helped me ease into what the experience could be like.

We brainstormed how we'd keep things fair with a baby

After learning about the changes that would happen to my body during pregnancy and how our lives could change once the baby was born, I worried that the work involved in having a baby would mostly fall on me. 

As an entrepreneur without maternity leave, I needed to make sure that wasn't going to happen. My husband and I sat down to start figuring out how we'd split the tasks involved with having a baby equally so that each of us would have our own responsibilities to focus on.

We came up with a plan where, once we became settled in with the baby, we'd split the day up in chunks so each of us had four-hour blocks to work while the other was responsible for our child. 

We won't know how realistic the plan is until we have a baby, but brainstorming some ideas has helped me feel better. 

Leave a comment

This Week’s Love List:

A list of must-reads that will give your life a bit of a spark

Grab The Newlywed Card Game - for a boost of fun and love in your life. Plus, gift one for 50% off!

Some of my favorite things in the world live right here.

Love you (for as long as we both shall live),

Jen Glantz is a whimsical entrepreneur, and currently Scared to Be a Mom.

Social Media:

@jenglantz // @bridesmaidforhire // @scaredtobeamom

Newsletters:

The Pick Me Up// //

Work With Jen:

Courses // Coaching // Company Workshops

Subscribe now

Welcome to The First Years of Marriage Newsletter! We talk about the conversations, challenges, and changes that begin once the honeymoon ends. Advice from experts, mistakes from me (Jen Glantz), and things you’re going to want to know as you continue to ask yourself this question - “I’m married, ow what?”

Dear Sweet Friend,

Thinking of you this month. How’s life? How’s love? How’s April!

I’m sharing an article that I wrote on ways I’ve predicted whether or not a marriage will last based on my work as a Bridesmaid for Hire over the years.

The truth is, nobody knows if a marriage will make it to the finish line.

But these are the things I have noticed along the way. Hit reply. Tell me what you think!

Ps. Need a spark in your life?

The Newlywed Card Game

7 Ways I Know a Marriage Will Last

The most popular question I get when people find out I work as a hired bridesmaid for strangers is whether or not I can predict if a marriage is going to last. 

I spend quality time with the couples and get to know intimate things about them, from family drama to past relationship blunders. Often, the bride even confides in me about any doubts, fears, and nerves she has.

Although it's impossible to know for sure whether a marriage will last, I feel confident in my ability to predict how "future-proof" a relationship will be based on my observations.

Here are some key things that help me decide if I think a couple is going to make it or not. 

Share The First Years of Marriage

How they speak to each other

You'd think a couple would only have nice and charming things to say to one another on their wedding day. But I've been to several weddings where the couple is screaming and cursing at each other right before walking down the aisle. 

At one wedding, the bride called the groom stupid. At another, the groom called the bride a bitch.

The word choice and tone couples use with each other can be a sign of whether their marriage is about to crumble or not. 

Those two couples didn't make it a year. 

The way their friends react 

I often get to know the couple's friends very well. I'm also usually the person they turn to with secrets they can't share with anyone else.

I've had friends of the couple tell me about how the groom is cheating or the bride is settling. Others have bet that the marriage won't last more than a season. I've even had a maid of honor share that the bride was already speaking to divorce lawyers.

When friends open up to me with negative opinions or (truth-backed) secrets, it's very likely the marriage is on the rocks.

How the couple deals with chaos

Weddings are filled with last-minute challenges and pop-up problems. Even if a couple has a strong team of professional vendors, they're going to have to field some of the chaos together. 

Some couples work well under pressure. But others don't — their wedding might even be the first thing that puts them under that kind of intense stress. 

I've had more than 10 clients who didn't make it to their wedding day because the drama and emotions of planning together were enough to make them see they weren't meant to be.

How they react during the 'first look' 

One of the most intimate parts of a couple's big day is when they have their "first look" moment, either before or during the ceremony.

I'm often invited to help calm the bride down and prepare her.

When the couple sees each other for the first time, I get two types of gut reactions. The first is when I feel fireworks going off in my stomach, which instantly makes me cry. The other feels like heartburn and makes me cringe. 

The couples who don't look genuinely enthralled by one another are usually the ones I hear about breaking up soon after the wedding. 

The amount of patience they have with each other

People's true personalities come out on their wedding day.

Couples who respect and care for each other are also usually the ones who have patience. When one person is anxious and the other is calm, it's so beautiful to watch the more even-keeled person help bring down their partner's nerves.

But in situations where one person needs that kind of help and their partner can't provide it, I'm usually the one who steps in.

In those moments, it's clear that the person isn't getting what they need, which isn't a good sign for the marriage. 

How much time they spend together on the day

At a wedding, it can be tough for the couple to spend quality time together. They're both being pulled in so many different directions to say hello to family and dance with friends.

Couples with a strong bond who spend the majority of the night by each other's side tend to stick together.

At a few weddings, I noticed couples who hardly saw each other the whole night and didn't share more than two dances. When following up years later, I learned over 75% were divorced.

How the couple makes me feel

I know I'm just a hired bridesmaid who's there to do a job, but I find that how the couple treats me really matters.

When they treat me with kindness and respect, it can be a sign that's also how they treat each other.

When couples use me to take out their anger and frustration, it's clear that they have bigger problems and are using me as a buffer.

Out of the hundreds of weddings I've worked at, 15 couples made me cry. At least 10 of those pairs are no longer married. 

Leave a comment

This Week’s Love List:

A list of must-reads that will give your life a bit of a spark

Grab The Newlywed Card Game - for a boost of fun and love in your life. Plus, gift one for 50% off!

Some of my favorite things in the world live right here.

Love you (for as long as we both shall live),

Jen Glantz is a whimsical entrepreneur, and currently Scared to Be a Mom.

Social Media:

@jenglantz // @bridesmaidforhire // @scaredtobeamom

Newsletters:

// //

Work With Jen:

Courses // Coaching // Company Workshops

Welcome to The First Years of Marriage Newsletter! We talk about the conversations, challenges, and changes that begin once the honeymoon ends. Advice from experts, mistakes from me (Jen Glantz), and things you’re going to want to know as you continue to ask yourself this question - “I’m married, ow what?”

Dear Sweet Friend,

I started writing about how freaking scared I am to become a mom. You can eyeball more of that here.

But one topic that I dove into was how having a baby changes marriage.

I’m not an expert in that. I’m not even there yet.

So I interviewed a marriage therapist and am sharing her best tips with you below.

Read on!

Ps. Want something fun?

The Newlywed Card Game

First Marriage Therapy, Then Baby?

After getting married in 2021, my husband and I made a pact that we'd do whatever we could to nurture our relationship and prepare for challenges.

We've met with financial advisors to figure out which conversations to have and decisions to make so we wouldn't argue over money later on. We also do quarterly marriage inventories where we assess which problems we need to take care of and how well we're working together as partners.

This year, after finding out that I'm pregnant with our first child, we started talking about what we could do to prepare for all the changes and challenges of being first-time parents. We decided to chat with Erika Labuzan-Lopez, a marriage and family therapist, to find out what to work on and plan for to keep our relationship intact when the baby arrives.

Here were my five biggest takeaways.

Understand that conflict will increase

Even though right now my husband and I rarely find ourselves arguing or getting into heated disagreements, Labuzan-Lopez said conflict usually increases for couples after they have a baby. That's mainly because most of your resources are directed toward keeping your baby alive and so fewer coping skills are available to manage interpersonal conflict.

"If you are aware of this ahead of time, you can increase your communication and make a plan together as a couple for managing conflict differently than you've needed to in the past," Labuzan-Lopez said.

She advised us to remind each other that we're both going through a challenging time and to turn to self-soothing techniques, like deep breathing or taking a walk, before trying to engage in whatever the conflict is about.

Make the implicit explicit

Labuzan-Lopez said a common mistake new parents make is not verbalizing or externalizing their expectations and making too many assumptions about what the other person is doing or how they're feeling.

"Becoming parents is complicated. Do not wait until resentments have developed to start talking about expectations, boundaries, and changes in identity," she said. "Make everything you're thinking and feeling clear to your partner."

I mentioned that when I'm stressed or frustrated, my tone of voice can rise and I can become aggressive with my words. Labuzan-Lopez advised that it's extra important during these times for me to pause and notice that I'm going back into an adaptive child state, reverting to old patterns from other relationships or scenarios.

Share your dreams and fears about how your life will change

When I was talking to Labuzan-Lopez, I noticed that while I'd been pregnant so far, I hadn't asked my husband how he was feeling about being a father or even how he expects our lives to change.

Labuzan-Lopez said it's important that both people talk about these things before the baby arrives.

"No one can fully understand what it will be like to have a baby and change your whole life. I've sat with hundreds of clients and have my own children, and we all agree there aren't adequate words to explain it," she said.

"However, it's important to be open and vulnerable as a couple in exploring both dreams and fears, because there's room for both. This can help you feel connected and brainstorm potential plans if something unexpected arises."

Labuzan-Lopez also suggested doing quarterly inventories or just continuing to create space to have these open and honest conversations without judgment, since it's hard to know how you'll feel when you become parents and your dreams or fears might change rapidly during the first year.

Remind your partner what you appreciate about them

Since having a child can be a whirlwind of an experience, Labuzan-Lopez recommended we share kind words and compliments.

"In the timeframe right after having a baby, you'll both be exhausted and drained and somewhat feel like machines," she said. "A nicety that is meaningful and recognizes your value can go a long way in increasing positivity, and you'll more than likely reciprocate the sentiment, thereby increasing overall positive interactions."

She also suggested tapping into the other person's love language, whether it's words of affirmation or touch, so you can make sure you're showing them affection in the way they like.

Keep in mind that a lot of this is temporary

Right now it's hard to picture what becoming a parent will be like, but it does seem difficult, if not impossible.

Labuzan-Lopez said that while the physical, mental, and emotional challenges of infancy are temporary, our relationship is long term.

"It's too easy to fall out of synchronicity with your partner when dealing with a crying baby," she said. "All of a sudden you disagree about how to approach something, and now you're operating against each other instead of being on the same team. But these issues are temporary, and your baby will outgrow sleepless nights."

She reminded us that our relationship is an investment that needs to be nurtured — and that putting it on the back burner and going to war over these issues can do long-lasting

Leave a comment

This Week’s Love List:

A list of must-reads that will give your life a bit of a spark

Grab The Newlywed Card Game - for a boost of fun and love in your life. Plus, gift one for 50% off!

Some of my favorite things in the world live right here.

Love you (for as long as we both shall live),

Jen Glantz is a whimsical entrepreneur, and currently Scared to Be a Mom.

Social Media:

@jenglantz // @bridesmaidforhire // @scaredtobeamom

Newsletters:

The Pick Me Up // //

Work With Jen:

Courses // Coaching // Company Workshops

Subscribe now

Welcome to The First Years of Marriage Newsletter! We talk about the conversations, challenges, and changes that begin once the honeymoon ends. Advice from experts, mistakes from me (Jen Glantz), and things you’re going to want to know as you continue to ask yourself this question - “I’m married, ow what?”

Dear sweet friend,

For the past 11 years of my life, I’ve shared the intimate details of my life on the internet.

First about how all of my friends were getting engaged, then about how I became always a bridesmaid (for hire), later on about how I became finally the bride, and now here, inside of this newsletter, where I talk about how to figure out the first years of marriage.

BUT…I have a rather large life update that I wanted to FINALLY share with you.

I’m 8-months pregnant.

I’m having a baby.

And I’m really freaking scared.

I’ve been keeping this a secret for so many reasons, mostly because I wanted to settle into my pregnancy journey and digest it - acid reflux and all - before announcing it to the world.

I finally shared the news today.

One of the biggest things I noticed during my pregnancy was how lonely, scared, and overwhelmed I was.

Nobody teaches you anything about growing a baby or having one and I found myself so desperate for information.

I begged mom friends to tell me everything. They tried.

I spent a million hours on Reddit reading what real people had to say. It made me anxious

Google became my BFF. So did pregnancy books and courses.

Even after consuming it all, I found myself feeling terrified.

How could I be a mom?

Would I ever figure it all out?

Will I be ready to do this?

Months and months of all of that led me to start something new - something for anything who needs it.

Leave a comment

Meet: Scared to Be a Mom

A brutally honest corner of the internet where we all share the many different emotions, thoughts, challenges, and fears we have around a humongous change in our lives.

We spend so many years of our lives learning geometry, Shakespeare, chemistry, and long division. But nobody really ever teaches us WTF is going to happen during when we’re pregnant or when we’re a parent.

Figuring it all out feels like you have to become a full-time investigator.

To find out what I desperately needed to know, I had to spend hundreds of hours reading Reddit forums, begging friends with kids to tell me what could happen to me during labor, watching TikTok videos about perineum massages, and hunting on Google to figure out what a baby actually needs when they are born - which spolier alert: is a lot more than I thought.

So welcome to a place where you can learn some of it, vent all of it, and feel less alone.

It’s a place where we can share fears, the things that frighten us the most, and all the ways we are trying to figure it out.

Dive in, there’s a lot on this website

From personal diary entries to confessions from real humans, WTF do I need lists, and a whole lot more.

Maybe this is something you need, maybe it’s not. Maybe you know someone who needs it.

Either way, I hope you’ll dive in and explore SCARED TO BE A MOM.

Check it Out

Love you,

Jen Glantz

This Week’s Love List:

A great book for anyone who deals with emotion overload or who finds themselves highly sensitive.

The Newlywed Card Game: Is officially on AMAZON! We’re proud of that. Grab your game here.

A great gift for yourself - even post-honeymoon

Love you (for as long as we both shall live),

Jen Glantz

Jen Glantz is a whimsical entrepreneur, 3x author, podcast host, and all-around pizza-obsessed goofball.

Here's what she is currently working on:

The Newlywed Card Game // Books // You're Not Getting Any Younger Podcast

Bridesmaid for Hire // Odd Jobs Newsletter // The First Years of Marriage Newsletter

The Monday Pick-Me-Up Newsletter //Jen & Juice Business & Life Coaching // Company Workshops

Welcome to The First Years of Marriage Newsletter! We talk about the conversations, challenges, and changes that begin once the honeymoon ends. Advice from experts, mistakes from me (Jen Glantz), and things you’re going to want to know as you continue to ask yourself this question - “I’m married, so now what?”

Subscribe now

Introducing: Back on Track

Start 2023 off with clarity, purpose, and a strategy for how to make the year ahead different from this past one.

Back on Track is a new course I’m launching in December and it includes, LIVE workshops, weekly challenges and activities, 1:1 coaching and group coaching, and weekly check-ins with feedback, to help you assess 2022 and kick-off 2023 with a strong focus and a fresh attitude.

Sign up below for details and early access to Back on Track, which launches in December. 

Learn More

I overheard a guy telling his co-worker that this Thursday is his wedding anniversary.

“This Thursday?” The co-worker asked to confirm.

“Yeah and I didn’t get her a gift or plan anything.”

All of a sudden, the room felt like it was hit by lightning.

The co-worker raised her voice and said:

“ARE YOU SERIOUS? YOU HAVE NOT BOUGHT HER ANYTHING?”

The guy’s response made coffee leak out of my mouth.

“Spending time with me is her gift!”

I was sitting 25-feet away and trying not to show I was listening to every single word of their conversation. But when he said what he said, I coughed up a loud noise from my throat.

The co-worker got up and walked away. Later, I did too.

You better believe that on Thursday, I’ll be thinking about him wishing his wife a happy anniversary and telling her that her gift is… him….it’s spending time with him.

I’m not saying you need to roll out the red carpet and shower your partner with luxurious gifts that drain your savings account.

BUT you should make part of that day feel special.

You could plan to go to dinner at your favorite spot, gift them something that matters to their love language, and do something that taps into your wedding memories (watching your video, looking through photos, getting cake from the bakery that made your wedding cake).

OR you could do something more “traditional”.

Anniversary Gifts by Year:

Before I was married, I remember people talking about traditional anniversary gifts for each year of marriage. Paper for the 1st year…gold for the 50th year… things like that.

But I never knew if people followed along with that tradition or whether or not I’d care to myself.

As the holiday shopping season kicks off, I figured why not understand what those traditional gifts are, how they can translate into modern ideas, and what the meaning is behind it all. Plus, some suggested gift ideas in case your shopping early for your 2023 anniversary gift.

Ps. Need a great gift for your partner this holiday season?

Check this out

How did this anniversary gift traditions start?

According to Brides.com:

Each wedding anniversary has traditional and modern gifts, as well as traditional flowers, colors, and gemstones. These long-standing conventions date all the way back to the medieval period and were chosen as agents of good fortune and prosperity for the marriage.

However, the tradition didn't really gain popularity until the Victorian era. Contemporary opinions diverge from traditional lore and believe that each gift should be chosen to gradually increase in value as you invest more time into the relationship—serving as a recognition of a successful marriage. This created the foundation for modern gift interpretations, which were published by the American National Retail Jewelers Association in 1937.

ANNIVERSARY GIFTS BY YEAR:

1ST YEAR: Paper
2ND YEAR: Cotton
3RD YEAR: Leather
4TH YEAR: Fruit & Flowers, or Linen & Silk
5TH YEAR: Wood
6TH YEAR: Iron / Candy
7TH YEAR: Wool/ Copper
8TH YEAR: Bronze
9TH YEAR: Pottery
10TH YEAR: Tin/ Aluminum
11TH YEAR: Steel
12TH YEAR: Silk
13TH YEAR: Lace
14TH YEAR: Ivory
15TH YEAR: Crystal
20TH YEAR: China
25TH YEAR: Silver
30TH YEAR: Pearl
35TH YEAR: Coral
40TH YEAR: Ruby
45TH YEAR: Sapphire
50TH YEAR: Gold
55TH YEAR: Emerald
60TH YEAR: Diamond

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Gift Ideas & Meanings for the First 5-Years of Marriage

1-Year Anniversary Gifts

Traditional Gift: Paper

Why paper? Because its fragility is supposed to represent the first year of marriage and how if you take good care of it from the start, it will last forever.

GIFT IDEA: CUSTOM ILLUSTRATION

Modern Gift: Clocks

Clocks represent the passing of time and the change and challenges that come with it.

GIFT IDEA: A GOLD CLOCK FOR THE LIVING ROOM

2-Year Anniversary Gifts

Traditional Gift: Cotton

Cotton symbolize how you become more interconnected as time goes on and learn to be more flexible.

GIFT IDEA: A COTTON BLANKET

Modern Gift: China

China indicates the weaknesses and strengths of any relationship.

GIFT IDEA: A NICE PIECE OF CHINA FOR SPECIAL HOLIDAYS

3-Year Anniversary Gifts

Traditional Gift: Leather

Leather represents shelter and security for the third year.

GIFT IDEA: A LEATHER-SCENTED CANDLE

Modern Gift: Crystal or Glass

As a gift, glass and cut crystal both signify and reflect light and beauty.

GIFT IDEA: A DECORATIVE GLASS BOWL

4-Year Anniversary Gifts

Traditional Gift: Fruit or Flowers

Fourth year “bloom” signifies that your relationship is blossoming, making flowers or ripe fruit an appropriate gift.

GIFT IDEA: DRIED FLOWERS

Modern Gift: Appliances

A more practical gift, sure, but electrical appliances also embody that “bloom”.

GIFT IDEA: THE AIR FRYER YOU WISH WAS ON YOUR WEDDING REGISTRY

5-Year Anniversary Gifts

Traditional Gift: Wood

Your roots have sprouted much like a tree by your fifth anniversary.

GIFT IDEA:CUSTOM WOOD GIFT

Modern Gift: Silverware

Because chances are you eat a lot together and could use a new set of silverware.

GIFT IDEA: A NEW SET OF FORKS AND KNIVES

What do you think about these traditional gifts? Have any others to share?

Leave a comment

Love you (for as long as we both shall live),

Jen Glantz

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Welcome to The First Years of Marriage Newsletter! We talk about the conversations, challenges, and changes that begin once the honeymoon ends. Advice from experts, mistakes from me (Jen Glantz), and things you’re going to want to know as you continue to ask yourself this question - “I’m married, ow what?”

The most popular question I get when people find out I work as a hired bridesmaid for strangers is whether or not I can predict if a marriage is going to last. 

I spend quality time with the couples and get to know intimate things about them, from family drama to past relationship blunders. Often, the bride even confides in me about any doubts, fears, and nerves she has.

Although it's impossible to know for sure whether a marriage will last, I feel confident in my ability to predict how "future-proof" a relationship will be based on my observations.

Here are some key things that help me decide if I think a couple is going to make it or not. 

Share

Signs a Marriage Will Last

How they speak to each other

You'd think a couple would only have nice and charming things to say to one another on their wedding day. But I've been to several weddings where the couple is screaming and cursing at each other right before walking down the aisle. 

At one wedding, the bride called the groom stupid. At another, the groom called the bride a bitch.

The word choice and tone couples use with each other can be a sign of whether their marriage is about to crumble or not. 

Those two couples didn't make it a year. 

The way their friends react 

I often get to know the couple's friends very well. I'm also usually the person they turn to with secrets they can't share with anyone else.

I've had friends of the couple tell me about how the groom is cheating or the bride is settling. Others have bet that the marriage won't last more than a season. I've even had a maid of honor share that the bride was already speaking to divorce lawyers.

When friends open up to me with negative opinions or (truth-backed) secrets, it's very likely the marriage is on the rocks.

How the couple deals with chaos

Weddings are filled with last-minute challenges and pop-up problems. Even if a couple has a strong team of professional vendors, they're going to have to field some of the chaos together. 

Some couples work well under pressure. But others don't — their wedding might even be the first thing that puts them under that kind of intense stress. 

I've had more than 10 clients who didn't make it to their wedding day because the drama and emotions of planning together were enough to make them see they weren't meant to be.

How they react during the 'first look' 

One of the most intimate parts of a couple's big day is when they have their "first look" moment, either before or during the ceremony.

I'm often invited to help calm the bride down and prepare her.

When the couple sees each other for the first time, I get two types of gut reactions. The first is when I feel fireworks going off in my stomach, which instantly makes me cry. The other feels like heartburn and makes me cringe. 

The couples who don't look genuinely enthralled by one another are usually the ones I hear about breaking up soon after the wedding. 

The amount of patience they have with each other

People's true personalities come out on their wedding day.

Couples who respect and care for each other are also usually the ones who have patience. When one person is anxious and the other is calm, it's so beautiful to watch the more even-keeled person help bring down their partner's nerves.

But in situations where one person needs that kind of help and their partner can't provide it, I'm usually the one who steps in.

In those moments, it's clear that the person isn't getting what they need, which isn't a good sign for the marriage. 

How much time they spend together on the day

At a wedding, it can be tough for the couple to spend quality time together. They're both being pulled in so many different directions to say hello to family and dance with friends.

Couples with a strong bond who spend the majority of the night by each other's side tend to stick together.

At a few weddings, I noticed couples who hardly saw each other the whole night and didn't share more than two dances. When following up years later, I learned over 75% were divorced.

How the couple makes me feel

I know I'm just a hired bridesmaid who's there to do a job, but I find that how the couple treats me really matters.

When they treat me with kindness and respect, it can be a sign that's also how they treat each other.

When couples use me to take out their anger and frustration, it's clear that they have bigger problems and are using me as a buffer.

Out of the hundreds of weddings I've worked at, 15 couples made me cry. At least 10 of those pairs are no longer married. 

PS. The Newlywed Card Game is officially on AMAZON! We’re proud of that. Grab your game here.

This Week’s Love List:

A great book for anyone who deals with emotion overload or who finds themselves highly sensitive.

The Newlywed Card Game: Is officially on AMAZON! We’re proud of that. Grab your game here.

A great gift for yourself - even post-honeymoon

Love you (for as long as we both shall live),

Jen Glantz

Jen Glantz is a whimsical entrepreneur, 3x author, podcast host, and all-around pizza-obsessed goofball.

Here's what she is currently working on:

The Newlywed Card Game // Books // You're Not Getting Any Younger Podcast

Bridesmaid for Hire // Odd Jobs Newsletter // The First Years of Marriage Newsletter

The Monday Pick-Me-Up Newsletter //Jen & Juice Business & Life Coaching // Company Workshops

Subscribe now

Welcome to The First Years of Marriage Newsletter! We talk about the conversations, challenges, and changes that begin once the honeymoon ends. Advice from experts, mistakes from me (Jen Glantz), and things you’re going to want to know as you continue to ask yourself this question - “I’m married, ow what?”

10 Marriage Facts You Need to Know About

There’s so much about marriage that we don’t know before we get married. We learn along the way. We learn through advice. We learn through mistakes,

Today, I wanted us to learn through some odd facts and stats I found on the internet.

Some might be shocking. Others might be obvious. And some might even be super unforgettable.

Let me know which ones stand out.

Leave a comment

• Couples who spend more than 5 hours a week together have the most successful marriages. However, I read somewhere else that the average married couple spends just four minutes a day of focused alone time together. So how do we change that? Can we change that?

• You know how at the end of the ceremony, the officiant says “you may now kiss the bride/groom”? There’s a reason for that. According to ancient Rome, the kiss is a legal bond that seals the contract.

• Marriage changes your life in many ways. But it’s important to know that while marriage may not necessarily make you happier, married adults do live longer and have higher incomes, and not simply because two incomes mean more money.

• Does marriage impact your job? Sort of. Approximately $6 billion in revenue is lost by American businesses as a result of decreased worker productivity linked to marriage hardship. Employees in a happy marriage, in contrast, tend to increase a company’s bottom line.

• How are you going to know if you and your partner will be happy together for years to come? That answer can rest on a lot of factors. One study I found said that a 15-year-long study found that a person’s happiness level before marriage was the best predictor of happiness after marriage. In other words, marriage won’t automatically make one happy.

• Divorce! Divorce! It might not happen as often as you think. In 2019 (the most recent year for this statistic), the divorce rate declined to levels not seen in 50 years — with only about 15 marriages in every 1,000 resulting in divorce. This is a 34% fall from its peak in the 1980s. 

• Not all married people are miserable - which is a common trope we see in comedy, as the punchline of a joke, or even portrayed in some sitcoms or movies. A 2021 Monmouth Poll found that 92% of married couples were either extremely or very satisfied in their marriage.

• The cost of an average wedding is $20,000. The cost of an average divorce is $20,000. Ouch.

• The reason we wear our "wedding rings” on our fourth finger is because the Romans believed a vein in this particular finger, called "vena amoris" (a.k.a. the "vein of love"), leads directly to the heart.

• Where do the words wife, husband, and marriage come from? “The word “wife” is thought to come from the Proto-Indo-European root weip (“to turn, twist, wrap”) or ghwibh, which has a root meaning “shame” or “pudenda.” Neither of which sounds particularly promising. The word “husband,” on the other hand, derives from the Old Norse husbondi or “master of the house.” The word “spouse” seems to carry less baggage: it has its origins in the Latin wordsponsus "bridegroom" (fem. sponsa "bride"), which comes from the term spondere,meaning "to bind oneself, promise solemnly."Some of you may not be surprised to learn that the term “marriage” comes from the Latin wordmas meaning “male” or “masculine.” The earliest known use of the word in English dates from the 13th century.”

  PS. The Newlywed Card Game is officially on AMAZON! We’re proud of that. Grab your game here.

  Jen Glantz is a whimsical entrepreneur, 3x author, podcast host, and all-around pizza-obsessed goofball.

  

  Here's what she is currently working on:

  The Newlywed Card Game // Books // You're Not Getting Any Younger Podcast

  Bridesmaid for Hire // Odd Jobs Newsletter // The First Years of Marriage Newsletter

  The Monday Pick-Me-Up Newsletter //Jen & Juice Business & Life Coaching // Company Workshops

Ours: Virtual premarital counseling to talk about the big stuff like communication, finances, values, and more. 4 weeks with an expert, 6 sessions, get started for just $100. Learn more.

Subscribe now

Welcome to The First Years of Marriage Newsletter! We talk about the conversations, challenges, and changes that begin once the honeymoon ends. Advice from experts, mistakes from me (Jen Glantz), and things you’re going to want to know as you continue to ask yourself this question - “I’m married, ow what?”

Marriage Tips On…

Buying a house with your partner

After the wedding, some couples start looking to buy a house or apartment together. I’m still in full renting mode with Adam, but this article had some good tips and next steps to consider if you and your partner are looking to put money into property.

Decorating your space together

Even if you and your partner lived together before getting married, your first few years of marriage might give you an opportunity to start redesigning the space you live in - together. Here are some home decorating tips for newlyweds.

Filing taxes together

I know, I know. Jen! Don’t bring up taxes. But I have to because before we know it, the season of filling jointly will be among us all. Sharing this article with tips on how to file taxes together, especially if this is your fist year doing that.

Dealing with cheating

I saw in this article that 20% of married men cheat and 13% of married women cheat. It’s not something we want to talk about…or think about…but this is a guide on how to build your relationship back up if that happens, and you want to rebuild your relationship.

Getting a Post-Nup

We hear the term pre-nup alllll of the time - but did you know that you can actually get a post-nup after marriage? Here are all the details on that decision and what it really means.

Going to Marriage Counseling

Last week, I wrote about a handful of options for marriage counseling. If it’s something you and your partner want to do, there are many different avenues to explore. Plus, if you’re not married yet, check this out too.

Talking about having kids

Unsure if you and your partner are on the same page about having kids and don’t know how to bring it up? Here are some tips from the experts that can help you ease into the conversation.

Figuring out religion

If you and your partner have different religious backgrounds and you want to figure out the future and how to have an interfaith marriage that respects both of you, I really liked this article with tips.

Combining Your Cash

There are no rules that you and your partner have to combine your money when you get married, but if you’re wondering some initial steps to take, this article is helpful!

This Week’s Love List:

Random - but my new fav sunscreen because it’s so smooth on the skin and doesn’t make me breakout.

The Newlywed Card Game: Is officially on AMAZON! We’re proud of that. Grab your game here.

A great gift for yourself - even post-honeymoon

A dating app to send your single friends — that actually helps them date and not just swipe endlessly

A newsletter about the beauty of getting older — even if you still feel 25

A really awesome tool to help you stay productive during the workday

You have to try this app that helps you move your body and stretch during the day

Today’s newsletter is sponsored by: OURS

OURS believes that relationship health should be celebrated and accessible. Relationships are the #1 predictors of our physical, emotional and mental health, after all. That’s why OURS offers premarital counseling, so that couples can begin to invest in their relationships even if they’re perfectly happy. So that they can live happier, healthier lives, together.

What makes OURS premarital counseling unique? OURS is 100 % virtual, approachable, low-stakes, and most importantly fun. OURS is 4% of what you’ll spend on a wedding photographer and get this, 100% of couples feel closer after OURS. Plus, 50% of couples who use this service are *not* engaged. So whether you're engaged, dating, or already married, as long as you are looking for a *proactive* and meaningful experience, this will be great for you. OURS will help guide you through the big conversations our Head Therapist, Elizabeth Earnshaw, who has worked with hundreds of couples over the last decade, has found to be the most important in terms of marital success, including: 

○ Communication 

○ Finances 

○ Sex and Intimacy 

○ Household Roles and Responsibilities 

○ Parenting and Family Planning 

○ Values and the Future 

○ Speaking and Listening 

○ Navigating Our Differences 

OURS includes 6 sessions, 2 live over Zoom with a trained Guide and 4 self-guided content sessions in Loveware. You can learn more right here!

Love you (for as long as we both shall live),

Jen Glantz

Jen Glantz is a whimsical entrepreneur, 3x author, podcast host, and all-around pizza-obsessed goofball.

Here's what she is currently working on:

The Newlywed Card Game // Books // You're Not Getting Any Younger Podcast

Bridesmaid for Hire // Odd Jobs Newsletter // The First Years of Marriage Newsletter

The Monday Pick-Me-Up Newsletter //Jen & Juice Business & Life Coaching // Company Workshops

Ours: Virtual premarital counseling to talk about the big stuff like communication, finances, values, and more. 4 weeks with an expert, 6 sessions, get started for just $100. Learn more.

Blink Date: DID YOU KNOW: Most people swipe literally thousands of times to get a single date with a person. But dating doesn't have to be this way. You can go on a date without creating a profile or any swiping with Blink Date, a dating app that sets you up for first dates via the app so you can cut straight to the date.

Join the waitlist to stop swiping and start... actually dating!

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Welcome to The First Years of Marriage Newsletter! We talk about the conversations, challenges, and changes that begin once the honeymoon ends. Advice from experts, mistakes from me (Jen Glantz), and things you’re going to want to know as you continue to ask yourself this question - “I’m married, ow what?”

Should You Go to Marriage Counseling?

When people are struggling, they sometimes feel like they have to stay hush hush about it. They even sometimes feel like there’s no one in the world who could help them get through a tough time.

But one thing that can help a struggling relationship or one that you want to make sure is strong in the future, is some sort of counseling or therapy.

I remember grabbing lunch with a friend I hadn’t seen in years who openly told me about some relationship problems she was having with her husband and how they were in couple’s therapy.

At first, I couldn’t believe she was openly talking about this to a distant friend but it was warm and refreshing.

This was before I was married and I thought about how cool it was that she was taking action in her relationship and it made me wonder about some of the people who might need a push or a feeling that it’s okay to reach out and get help — for all different kinds of reasons.

So today, I want to share some cool resources I’ve found over the years that you might want to eyeball, bookmark, or learn more about.

You can also check out this post when I interviewed a marriage therapist - SO many good tips!

Share

You can start before you’re married

One big misconception is that a couple can’t get therapy when they are just married or engaged, but that’s not true. I found this really awesome couple called OURS. They offer pre-marital counseling and it’s 100% virtual.

Even if you’re not sure that your partner will be up for it, it’s a good idea to learn more about OURS to have some good points of reference when starting the convo with your loved one.

You can get therapy from your couch

I know that for some people, they want to get help and support without going IRL. There are so many virtual options out there, like this one / this one / or this one.

This makes couple’s therapy more accessible and easier to fit into your schedules.

You can also try self-guided options

If you’re looking to try to work on the relationship without getting outside help, you can try some self-guided options instead.

First, there are some free worksheets you can print out and use. Or you can check out this book too.

You can go in-person

Of course, one of the most popular options is to go see someone in-person and if you’re looking for someone to be your marriage/ or pre-marital counselor IRL, here’s a great place to search.

This Week’s Love List:

A great book for anyone who deals with emotion overload or who finds themselves highly sensitive.

Random - but my new fav sunscreen because it’s so smooth on the skin and doesn’t make me breakout.

The Newlywed Card Game: Is officially on AMAZON! We’re proud of that. Grab your game here.

A great gift for yourself - even post-honeymoon

Love you (for as long as we both shall live),

Jen Glantz

Jen Glantz is a whimsical entrepreneur, 3x author, podcast host, and all-around pizza-obsessed goofball.

Here's what she is currently working on:

The Newlywed Card Game // Books // You're Not Getting Any Younger Podcast

Bridesmaid for Hire // Odd Jobs Newsletter // The First Years of Marriage Newsletter

The Monday Pick-Me-Up Newsletter //Jen & Juice Business & Life Coaching // Company Workshops

Founders’ Book: Build and launch your startup with the #1 platform of tools and resources for first-time founders and early-stage startups. Try Founders’ Book today.

Meet Clay: The most powerful way to never forget who matters. Try Clay today.

Subscribe now

Welcome to The First Years of Marriage Newsletter! We talk about the conversations, challenges, and changes that begin once the honeymoon ends. Advice from experts, mistakes from me (Jen Glantz), and things you’re going to want to know as you continue to ask yourself this question - “I’m married, ow what?”

Marriage Reads Round-Up

I’m brainstorming new topics for this newsletter - if you have any topics you want me to cover, hit reply or leave a comment below.

But for this week, I have a round-up of some great articles I found online allll about marriage.

Let’s check them out!

Gift Ideas

So many people I know are inching closer to their 1st wedding anniversary and struggling to figure out what gift to give their partner. Here’s a full list of gifts that might give you some ideas.

Here’s an article that highlights gift ideas - no matter what year you’re celebrating

Get Married Again

Some of you might have eloped or canceled your pandemic wedding and just got married, without a party. Perhaps you’re inspired to take a note out of JLo’s playbook and do a second, or first, real wedding, even after you’re married.

A Message on Marriage and Boredom

What do you think of this honest article?

“To me, marriage is about waking up to exclusively see the person you love being one day older than they were yesterday. Greedily studying every single line, hair and pore in awe.”

A Happy Marriage Goes Like This…

Agree or disagree with these tips from marriage experts on what makes a happy marriage? I saw this on the TODAY show and thought there were gems in their advice.

The 2-2-2 Rule

What do you think of this rule?

Enter the 2-2-2 rule: Try and swing a date night every two weeks, a weekend away every two months and a week away every two years.

Share The First Years of Marriage

Today's newsletter is sponsored by Founders' Book:

A few weeks ago, I signed up for Founders' Book to learn to build and launch my business; I've since stuck with Founders' Book for 3 reasons; Access the best tools and resources to turn my idea into MVP and beyond Startup OS: One Notion-based workspace for building and growing my startup. Save up to $500K in credits and benefits from 200+ SaaS platforms Try Founders' Book today (it’s 100% worth it)

This Week’s Love List:

A great book for anyone who deals with emotion overload or who finds themselves highly sensitive.

The Newlywed Card Game: Is officially on AMAZON! We’re proud of that. Grab your game here.

A great gift for yourself - even post-honeymoon

Love you (for as long as we both shall live),

Jen Glantz

Today’s newsletter is sponsored by: Clay

Today’s newsletter is brought to you by Clay, a beautiful and private digital rolodex intentionally designed to help you be more thoughtful with the people who matter to you.

Before I started using Clay, being thoughtful and remembering important details about the people in my life relied on my own memory, as well as a mix of spreadsheets, notecards, contacts apps, and CRMs. In addition to being difficult to manage, this approach lets important relationships, moments, and context fall through the cracks.

But when you log onto Clay, you enter your very own personalized home for the people that matter to you, empowering you to remember important moments and information. Clay uses your calendar, email, iMessage, Twitter, phone contacts, and LinkedIn to create one source of truth for your relationships. Take notes, set reminders, get notified when people are in the news, and more.

I use Clay not only to foster relationships with friends and acquaintances but also to show up prepared for so many different business situations, whether it’s to be prepared for a meeting, to search my network to find a mentor, or to stay on top of important details about the important people in my life.

Try Clay today. You’ll love it!

Jen Glantz is a whimsical entrepreneur, 3x author, podcast host, and all-around pizza-obsessed goofball.

Here's what she is currently working on:

The Newlywed Card Game // Books // You're Not Getting Any Younger Podcast

Bridesmaid for Hire // Odd Jobs Newsletter // The First Years of Marriage Newsletter

The Monday Pick-Me-Up Newsletter //Jen & Juice Business & Life Coaching // Company Workshops

Founders’ Book: Build and launch your startup with the #1 platform of tools and resources for first-time founders and early-stage startups. Try Founders’ Book today.

Meet Clay: The most powerful way to never forget who matters. Try Clay today.

Subscribe now

Welcome to The First Years of Marriage Newsletter! We talk about the conversations, challenges, and changes that begin once the honeymoon ends. Advice from experts, mistakes from me (Jen Glantz), and things you’re going to want to know as you continue to ask yourself this question - “I’m married, ow what?”

10 Marriage Beach Reads for the Summer

I Do!: A Marriage Workbook for Engaged Couples

Looking for an interactive book? This is a great workbook for couples before they get married to help ease into marriage. This is great too (not a book, but a fun gift).

This Is How Your Marriage Ends: A Hopeful Approach to Saving Relationships

I know the title makes this book sound negative but some marriages need a bit of a pick-me-up and I found this book has some really useful and practical tips to help make that happen.

Choosing Marriage: Why It Has to Start with We > Me

A relationship expert walks you through eight significant choices involved in taking marriage from hard to great. Throughout each chapter, Debra shares astonishing survey results from thousands of singles and married couples, revealing intimate details about marriage.

To Have and to Hold: Motherhood, Marriage, and the Modern Dilemma

A really good read if you’re thinking about having a child in the future because so many things can change in your life, identity, and marriage.

The 4 Habits of Joy-Filled Marriages: How 15 Minutes a Day Will Help You Stay in Love

A lot of people want to work on their relationship but don’t have hours and hours a week to do so. That’s why I’m thrilled to recommend this book because it gives tips on how you can work on having a joy-filled marriage in just 15-minutes a day.

Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love

We spend so much time with our partners and we talk about soooooo many things. But sometimes it’s nice to have a meaningful and powerful convo, especially with a person you think you know so well. This book shares some of the most powerful convos you can have with your spouse.

Today's newsletter is sponsored by Founders' Book:

A few weeks ago, I signed up for Founders' Book to learn to build and launch my business; I've since stuck with Founders' Book for 3 reasons; Access the best tools and resources to turn my idea into MVP and beyond Startup OS: One Notion-based workspace for building and growing my startup. Save up to $500K in credits and benefits from 200+ SaaS platforms Try Founders' Book today (it’s 100% worth it)

The New Rules of Marriage: What You Need to Know to Make Love Work

Marriage in 2022 might have a bit more complications than marriage in previous years. That’s because there’s a huge change in culture, trends, and even just the way we spend our days (aka remote work, and more). This book shares some new and modern tips for marriage.

Attached: Are you Anxious, Avoidant or Secure? How the science of adult attachment can help you find – and keep – love

Just like how everyone has a love language, everyone also has an attachment style and it impacts how you receive love and how you love. It’s a good book that dives into what your style and your partner’s style might be.

The Normal Bar: The Surprising Secrets of Happy Couples and What They Reveal About Creating a New Normal in Your Relationship

The Normal Bar offers readers an array of prescriptive tools that will help them establish a “new normal.” Mindful of what keeps couples stuck in ruts, the book’s authors suggest practical and life-changing ways to break cycles of disappointment and frustration.

The Art of Loving

In this book, Fromm explores love in all its aspects--not only romantic love, steeped in false conceptions and lofty expectations, but also love of parents, children, brotherly love, erotic love, self-love, and the love of God.

Subscribe now

Today’s newsletter is sponsored by: Clay

Today’s newsletter is brought to you by Clay, a beautiful and private digital rolodex intentionally designed to help you be more thoughtful with the people who matter to you.

Before I started using Clay, being thoughtful and remembering important details about the people in my life relied on my own memory, as well as a mix of spreadsheets, notecards, contacts apps, and CRMs. In addition to being difficult to manage, this approach lets important relationships, moments, and context fall through the cracks.

But when you log onto Clay, you enter your very own personalized home for the people that matter to you, empowering you to remember important moments and information. Clay uses your calendar, email, iMessage, Twitter, phone contacts, and LinkedIn to create one source of truth for your relationships. Take notes, set reminders, get notified when people are in the news, and more.

I use Clay not only to foster relationships with friends and acquaintances but also to show up prepared for so many different business situations, whether it’s to be prepared for a meeting, to search my network to find a mentor, or to stay on top of important details about the important people in my life.

Try Clay today. You’ll love it!

This Week’s Love List:

A polygraph test: Would a polygraph test make sense for your marriage? This article explains it all.

The Newlywed Card Game: Is officially on AMAZON! We’re proud of that. Grab your game here.

Odd marriage advice: Or at least advice that’s from not so normal sources. Read the article here.

Love you (for as long as we both shall live),

Jen Glantz

Jen Glantz is a whimsical entrepreneur, 3x author, podcast host, and all-around pizza-obsessed goofball.

Here's what she is currently working on:

The Newlywed Card Game // Books // You're Not Getting Any Younger Podcast

Bridesmaid for Hire // Odd Jobs Newsletter // The First Years of Marriage Newsletter

The Monday Pick-Me-Up Newsletter //Jen & Juice Business & Life Coaching // Company Workshops

Clay: The most powerful way to never forget who matters. Try Clay today.

HappyBox: Know someone who just got engaged? They NEED this! 

Subscribe now

Welcome to The First Years of Marriage Newsletter! We talk about the conversations, challenges, and changes that begin once the honeymoon ends. Advice from experts, mistakes from me (Jen Glantz), and things you’re going to want to know as you continue to ask yourself this question - “I’m married, so now what?”

Top Marriage Advice from Our Archives

We’ve been writing this sweet little newsletter for over a year and to celebrate, we’re pulling our top five posts from the archives for you to dive into or give a second read. These are not only our most-read posts, but the ones that we received the most messages about. Perhaps that’s because some of the topics are taboo or because some of the topics were just super relevant to people who were in need of a pick-me-up after the wedding ended. Either way, we hope you enjoy these top posts and maybe even share them with someone else you adore!

Share

Skipped the Pre-Nup? You Need This.

I sat down with a few divorce lawyers to try to wrap my head around what a post-nup is and if it’s something I, or YOU, might need. Here are the four benefits of getting one.

Take Inventory on Your Marriage

You can take inventory on your marriage at any time.What worked well? What was a royal mess? What did you do together? What did you completely forget to do together? You can dive into the inventory below but if you want the full and impactful version. Here’s how to start.

Your Future Married Money Checklist

I recently chatted with a financial advisor who shared some money things I should consider doing now that I’m married. While I’m slowly working through this list, I figured I’d share the list with you here.

Wedding Over? You Forgot to Do This.

Once your wedding ends, you fuss with the leftover details (like where to cram the stuff from your wedding that you don’t plan to eyeball for years and years) and pack the memories away for a little bit of time. Here is what to do next.

A Newly Married Gift Guide

The ultimate gift guide to give people in your life no matter what season or time of year it is. Check it out here.

This Week’s Love List:

The engagement box: Know someone who just got engaged? This gift is PEFECT to send them to kick-off the celebrations. Use code: B4H for $5 off.

A fun book to dive into: Learn more about you + your partner’s love language on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

The Newlywed Card Game: Is officially on AMAZON! We’re proud of that. Grab your game here.

Love you (for as long as we both shall live),

Jen Glantz

Meet This Week’s Sponsor: Clay

Today’s newsletter is brought to you by Clay, a beautiful and private digital rolodex intentionally designed to help you be more thoughtful with the people who matter to you.

Before I started using Clay, being thoughtful and remembering important details about the people in my life relied on my own memory, as well as a mix of spreadsheets, notecards, contacts apps, and CRMs. In addition to being difficult to manage, this approach lets important relationships, moments, and context fall through the cracks.

But when you log onto Clay, you enter your very own personalized home for the people that matter to you, empowering you to remember important moments and information. Clay uses your calendar, email, iMessage, Twitter, phone contacts, and LinkedIn to create one source of truth for your relationships. Take notes, set reminders, get notified when people are in the news, and more.

I use Clay not only to foster relationships with friends and acquaintances but also to show up prepared for so many different business situations, whether it’s to be prepared for a meeting, to search my network to find a mentor, or to stay on top of important details about the important people in my life.

TRY CLAY TODAY

Jen Glantz is a whimsical entrepreneur, 3x author, podcast host, and all-around pizza-obsessed goofball.

Here's what she is currently working on:

The Newlywed Card Game // Books // You're Not Getting Any Younger Podcast

Bridesmaid for Hire // Odd Jobs Newsletter // The First Years of Marriage Newsletter

The Monday Pick-Me-Up Newsletter //Jen & Juice Business & Life Coaching // Company Workshops

Clay: The most powerful way to never forget who matters. Try Clay today.

HappyBox: Know someone who just got engaged? They NEED this! 

Subscribe now

Welcome to The First Years of Marriage Newsletter! We talk about the conversations, challenges, and changes that begin once the honeymoon ends. Advice from experts, mistakes from me (Jen Glantz), and things you’re going to want to know as you continue to ask yourself this question - “I’m married, so now what?”

Today, I’m Not Giving You Marriage Advice

I’ve been reading a lot of marriage advice from sources all over the place: from friend’s blogs to fun news articles I discover when I do a Google search. This week, I wanted to share with you a collection of articles that share all kinds of advice - some you’ll agree with, some you’ll shake your head at, and perhaps some of the advice you’ll find yourself needing in this very moment.

Here are this week’s articles to check out:

An experts shares marriage advice: Like how it’s okay to disagree and what to do about it - other than just launch into a full-blown argument.

How marriage makes things fancy: I loved this article on terms we use when we’re in relationships vs. when we’re married.

The 7 behaviors that can make a marriage toxic: At many points in your marriage, you might have the moments when things feel “off” this article calls out some of those behaviors and practical solutions.

What can break a happy marriage: A short read with fun suggestions to help your marriage out

The secret to a happy marriage: I loved the advice inside this article from a couple who has been married for over 70-years.

This Week’s Love List:

The engagement box: Know someone who just got engaged? This gift is PEFECT to send them to kick-off the celebrations. Use code: B4H for $5 off.

A fun book to dive into: Learn more about you + your partner’s love language on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

The Newlywed Card Game: Is officially on AMAZON! We’re proud of that. Grab your game here.

Love you (for as long as we both shall live),

Jen Glantz

Meet This Week’s Sponsor: Clay

Today’s newsletter is brought to you by Clay, a beautiful and private digital rolodex intentionally designed to help you be more thoughtful with the people who matter to you.

Before I started using Clay, being thoughtful and remembering important details about the people in my life relied on my own memory, as well as a mix of spreadsheets, notecards, contacts apps, and CRMs. In addition to being difficult to manage, this approach lets important relationships, moments, and context fall through the cracks.

But when you log onto Clay, you enter your very own personalized home for the people that matter to you, empowering you to remember important moments and information. Clay uses your calendar, email, iMessage, Twitter, phone contacts, and LinkedIn to create one source of truth for your relationships. Take notes, set reminders, get notified when people are in the news, and more.

I use Clay not only to foster relationships with friends and acquaintances but also to show up prepared for so many different business situations, whether it’s to be prepared for a meeting, to search my network to find a mentor, or to stay on top of important details about the important people in my life.

TRY CLAY TODAY

Jen Glantz is a whimsical entrepreneur, 3x author, podcast host, and all-around pizza-obsessed goofball.

Here's what she is currently working on:

The Newlywed Card Game // Books // You're Not Getting Any Younger Podcast

Bridesmaid for Hire // Odd Jobs Newsletter // The First Years of Marriage Newsletter

The Monday Pick-Me-Up Newsletter //Jen & Juice Business & Life Coaching // Company Workshops

Subscribe now

Welcome to The First Years of Marriage Newsletter! We talk about the conversations, challenges, and changes that begin once the honeymoon ends. Advice from experts, mistakes from me (Jen Glantz), and things you’re going to want to know as you continue to ask yourself this question - “I’m married, so now what?”

Today’s newsletter is sponsored by RocaNews: Be the most interesting person at happy hour

Roca delivers informative and engaging news, without partisanship or spin. Since its launch in 2020, Roca has grown to 1.2M daily readers. Join them by reading Roca’s free daily newsletter, designed to make you the most interesting person at Happy Hour in 5 minutes. Subscribe today!

Love Lessons I’ve Learned as a Bridesmaid for Hire

I've read practically every dating self-help book out there, watched all the famous romantic comedies, and even hired a matchmaker, but none of that taught me as much about love and relationships as being a bridesmaid. 

I started my business, Bridesmaid for Hire, in 2014 and since then, hundreds of strangers from all over the world have paid me to show up at their wedding, thrown on a uniform dress, and help them through their big day.

As someone who was perpetually single for most of their 20s, I learned how to date, build strong relationships, and stay madly in love with a partner from my clients. I also learned what not to do when you're looking for love.

After working the job for nearly seven years, here are the best love lessons I've learned:

Looking for and finding love can feel a little like a game 

One of my first and favorite questions to ask brides I work with is how they met their fiancé.

I've heard so many different answers from in-person meetings at coffee shops and bookstores, to getting set up by friends or coworkers, to dating apps (the most common answer).

But an answer from one bride stood out to me and changed my outlook on dating.

She told me that she treated dating like a numbers game. She went out on as many first dates as she could, knowing that the more guys she met for a glass of wine or cup of coffee, the closer she'd get to meeting someone she adored. It took her seven first dates to meet the man she married.

This lesson taught me that finding love isn't easy. If it's something you want, you have to put yourself out there and treat first dates like a prescreening interview for a job. If it goes smoothly, set up a second date.

I followed this bride's advice and ended up going on 15 first dates in one month. My husband was date number 15.

You can’t judge a relationship from the outside

One of the most popular questions people ask me when they find out I'm a professional bridesmaid is whether I can predict if a relationship will last or not.

The truth is that I can't, and neither can anyone else.

You can't fully judge a relationship from the outside. Even if I see a couple that looks like they have nothing in common, I'm only seeing a chunk of the relationship, so it's nearly impossible to know if that couple is meant to be.

There have been so many couples I thought wouldn't make it to their one-year anniversary, but six years later, they seem happy and in love. On the other hand, some of the couples who I thought would grow old together got divorced after a year.

Nobody ever truly knows how strong and resilient someone else's relationship or love is.

Second-guessing yourself isn't always a bad thing when it comes to relationships

Early on, I learned something a lot of people consider to be taboo in the wedding sphere: Getting cold feet is real, and it happens more often than you'd think.

I've had brides on all different ends of the cold-feet spectrum. Some people hired me to help them end their engagement, others weren't sure if their fiancé was truly "the one," and a few wanted to pull a Julia Roberts on their wedding day and become a runaway bride. 

I never judge anyone who's second-guessing their relationship because I've learned that love is a lot different than it's depicted in romantic comedies. It can be messy, unusual, and imperfect.

Now when I'm second-guessing love or my own relationship I don't panic or suppress those feelings. Instead, I either find someone I trust (like a therapist or marriage counselor) to talk through it or find some space and alone time to process the feelings on my own. 

Love doesn't mean the same thing to everyone

Something I didn't really think about before I started working as a professional bridesmaid is that people get married for all different reasons and there are many definitions of love.

When I'd ask my clients how they knew this person was the one, their answers were never the same. 

Some brides explained that they loved and wanted to marry their fiancés because they fully trusted them or felt comfortable being themselves around them, and others said they were simply eager to settle down or wanted financial security. 

When people say they are in love, it can mean so many different things. People define love in a unique way that may never make sense to anyone else, but there's some beauty in that.

This Week’s Love List:

A Book & Card Game Combo: Need a gift for your engaged pals? Also want a fun summer read? Check out this popular book and game combo.

Marriage Advice After 50 Years: Listen to what this famous couple has to say about a long lasting marriage.

Marriage rate dropping? It is in some states. Here’s why.

Love you (for as long as we both shall live),

Jen Glantz

Jen Glantz is a whimsical entrepreneur, 3x author, podcast host, and all-around pizza-obsessed goofball.

Here's what she is currently working on:

The Newlywed Card Game // Books // You're Not Getting Any Younger Podcast

Bridesmaid for Hire // Odd Jobs Newsletter // The First Years of Marriage Newsletter

The Monday Pick-Me-Up Newsletter //Jen & Juice Business & Life Coaching // Company Workshops

Subscribe now

Welcome to The First Years of Marriage Newsletter! We talk about the conversations, challenges, and changes that begin once the honeymoon ends. Advice from experts, mistakes from me (Jen Glantz), and things you’re going to want to know as you continue to ask yourself this question - “I’m married, so now what?”

Today’s newsletter is sponsored by RocaNews: Be the most interesting person at happy hour

Roca delivers informative and engaging news, without partisanship or spin. Since its launch in 2020, Roca has grown to 1.2M daily readers. Join them by reading Roca’s free daily newsletter, designed to make you the most interesting person at Happy Hour in 5 minutes. Subscribe today!

Summer Bucket List Ideas

When a new season arrives, it often gives us a chance to add a spark back into our lives. After a long and chilly winter and spring, summer is making me feel alive again.

But just like every single other year, it’s a season that always feels too short and fleeting.

I always want to be a certain kind of person in the summer - someone who does unusual things, spends so much time outdoors, and travels around the world. I end up taking local trips to the park and eating takeout from the same 5 restaurants.

But not this year, right? No way.

This year, will be different. Why? Because I’m making it different.

Starting with a bucket list that I’m doing with my husband. We’re creating a to-do list of big and small adventures, adding them to our calendar, and making the next few months the best months of the year.

Here’s how.

Share

Make Your Own List First

It can be hard to figure out what to put on your joint summer bucket list. Instead, start solo. Spend a week jotting down 10 ideas of things you want to do this summer. Pick the ones you want to do with your partner and the ones you want to do solo. This will give you a strong starting point and a chance to get back in tune with your purpose, hobbies, and personal joys.

Some things on my summer bucket list:

-Rooftop yoga

-Day trip to upstate NY

-Finish a book

-Refurnish the apartment

-Learn to make key lime pie

Think of Joint Ideas

Next, combine your lists. Chat about what you want to take on solo (like the key lime pie baking and the book writing) and what you want to do together. Then add in another 10 items that you brainstorm as a couple. That way your summer is filled with options from both of you and adventures that you came up with as a team.

Our joint list includes things like:

-Host a get together for our friends on our rooftop

-Do a weekend trip to Boston

-Read a book together

-Try 10 new restaurants around NYC

-Play tennis

Put it On the Calendar

Lists are just lists unless you make them happen! Take a look at the next few months and schedule in these activities and adventures. Putting it in your calendar not only gives you something bold to look forward to but makes the bucket list feel real.

Get Spontaneous

The best bucket list items are often the random and last-minute ones! Be open to improvising and adding things to your list. Make this summer one where you make plans (and keep those plans) but also say yes to new things on a whim.

Also, check these resources out for more bucket list help:

100 bucket list ideas

Bucket list scratch off

A notebook to help you organize your joint ideas

Turn creating a bucket list into a game

This Week’s Love List:

A Book & Card Game Combo: Need a gift for your engaged pals? Also want a fun summer read? Check out this popular book and game combo.

Marriage Advice After 50 Years: Listen to what this famous couple has to say about a long lasting marriage.

Marriage rate dropping? It is in some states. Here’s why.

Love you (for as long as we both shall live),

Jen Glantz

Jen Glantz is a whimsical entrepreneur, 3x author, podcast host, and all-around pizza-obsessed goofball.

Here's what she is currently working on:

The Newlywed Card Game // Books // You're Not Getting Any Younger Podcast

Bridesmaid for Hire // Odd Jobs Newsletter // The First Years of Marriage Newsletter

The Monday Pick-Me-Up Newsletter //Jen & Juice Business & Life Coaching // Company Workshops

Subscribe now

Welcome to The First Years of Marriage Newsletter! We talk about the conversations, challenges, and changes that begin once the honeymoon ends. Advice from experts, mistakes from me (Jen Glantz), and things you’re going to want to know as you continue to ask yourself this question - “I’m married, so now what?”

This week’s newsletter is sponsored by:

The Newlywed Card Game

Marriage Inventory (January - March 2022)

Before you know it, the end of the year will tip-toe into your living room and remind you just how fast time flies.

Because of that, I like to do life inventories at the end of every 90-days.

Sharing with you a marriage inventory that you and your partner can do. Print this out, sit together, and answer these questions.

The beauty of doing this is that you get everything on paper. That’s the best first step toward making big changes in your relationship.

Ps. know someone who’d adore this?

Share

Month-By-Month Extravaganza

January

• What were the really good moments?

• What were the not so good moments?

• What were the biggest lessons learned?

February

• What were the really good moments?

• What were the not so good moments?

• What were the biggest lessons learned?

March

• What were the really good moments?

• What were the not so good moments?

• What were the biggest lessons learned?

More of vs. Less of (April-June 2022)

In the next 3-months, here’s what I’d like more of: 

In the next 3-months, here’s what I’d like less of:

Habits

Good Habits from January-March: 

Not Good Habits from January-March: 

Recurring Fights

What were the top 3 topics that were constantly argued about?

How can you work on these topics during the next 90-days? 

April-June Goals:

April

• Top 3 goals 

1.

2.

3.

May

• Top 3 goals 

1.

2.

3.

June 

• Top 3 goals 

1.

2.

3.

This Week’s Love List:

Spring Picnic Essentials - I love picnics during this season because they make for the perfect date, especially as the weather keeps getting nicer. Here are some essentials to stock up on:

-Picnic basket

-Cozy blanket

-Two foldable rocking chairs

-The ultimate cheese board

Marriage Traditions - Take a look at this list. Which of these marriage traditions do you agree with and which can be tossed to the side?

Planning a $2,500 Wedding - If you have a friend getting married, send them this article!

Love you (for as long as we both shall live),

Jen Glantz

Jen Glantz is a whimsical entrepreneur, 3x author, podcast host, and all-around pizza-obsessed goofball.

Here's what she is currently working on:

The Newlywed Card Game // Books // You're Not Getting Any Younger Podcast

Bridesmaid for Hire // Odd Jobs Newsletter // The First Years of Marriage Newsletter

The Monday Pick-Me-Up Newsletter //Jen & Juice Business & Life Coaching // Company Workshops

Subscribe now

Welcome to The First Years of Marriage Newsletter! We talk about the conversations, challenges, and changes that begin once the honeymoon ends. Advice from experts, mistakes from me (Jen Glantz), and things you’re going to want to know as you continue to ask yourself this question - “I’m married, so now what?”

This week’s newsletter is sponsored by: WineText

WineText is the most explosive new way to get great deals on wine! WineText sends one spectacular deal daily featuring a wine that has potential savings of up to 70% off the SRP! Many of the wines have huge scores from some of the biggest wine critics in the country.

Your Future Married Money Checklist

I recently chatted with a financial advisor who shared some money things I should consider doing now that I’m married.

While I’m slowly working through this list, I figured I’d share the list with you:

Estate Planning:

One of the very first things this advisor mentioned was to get started doing estate planning with my partner.

What does that mean?

An estate plan is a set of legal documents that present your wishes for the distribution of property, guardianship of minor children, and even healthcare decisions

Who can do this with you / for you?

You can hire an estate planning attorney. Price out different ones to find someone in your budget and have a free consultation.

Will:

Even though it’s not something I want to think about, he also mentioned making a will, which is similar to an estate plan but different.

Simply put, an estate plan is a broader plan of action for your assets that may apply during your life as well as after your death. A will, on the other hand, dictates where your assets will go after you die, who will be the guardian of your children and more.

You can hire a lawyer or make one for free on a place like this.

Beneficiary:

One thing I have started to do is make Adam a beneficiary on my assets (retirement accounts, savings accounts, etc.). That way, if anything happens to me, he gets access to that cash ASAP. When you don’t do this and just put that in your will, it can take longer for the person to get the money.

Go through each asset of yours and make your spouse the beneficiary (if you want them to be).

Life Insurance:

Deep on my to-do list is to research more about life insurance. Again, not something I want to think about but the financial advisor said it’s worth looking into now - since we are young and healthy - we can get a less expensive policy.

Your death benefit should be at least 10 to 30 times your income and be large enough to cover your debts and future expenses, like the cost of raising a child.

Here’s more on that.

This Week’s Love List:

The best wine deals - ever: If you adore drinking wine, check this out. The best wine available at the best prices.

A Kardashian Vegas wedding: What do you think about Kourt and Travis tying the knot in Vegas?

Spring cleaning essentials: Doing a lot of Spring cleaning this month with these items.

The Newlywed Card Game: Want to play the game? Grab one before it sells out.

Love you (for as long as we both shall live),

Jen Glantz

Jen Glantz is a whimsical entrepreneur, 3x author, podcast host, and all-around pizza-obsessed goofball.

Here's what she is currently working on:

The Newlywed Card Game // Books // You're Not Getting Any Younger Podcast

Bridesmaid for Hire // Odd Jobs Newsletter // The First Years of Marriage Newsletter

The Monday Pick-Me-Up Newsletter //Jen & Juice Business & Life Coaching // Company Workshops

Subscribe now

Welcome to The First Years of Marriage Newsletter! We talk about the conversations, challenges, and changes that begin once the honeymoon ends. Advice from experts, mistakes from me (Jen Glantz), and things you’re going to want to know as you continue to ask yourself this question - “I’m married, so now what?”

I’m about to celebrate one year of being married to Adam.

ONE YEAR of being a newlywed.

ONE YEAR of this whole marriage thing.

When people ask if marriage made anything different in our lives, I hesitate to come up with the right words to say.

The truth is, sort of yes and sort of no.

If anything, marriage is just your relationship growing even more on steroids.

Things feel more serious and every conversation feels like it has to end with a period and not a comma or one of those fun little exclamation marks.

Is the first year of marriage the hardest?

I can’t say because I haven’t lived out the 2nd, 3rd, or 70th year of marriage yet.

But I can tell you the TWO BIGGEST THINGS I learned about myself and my partner during year #1.

[Ps. I’m curios what you learned too - share below].

Leave a comment

Everything Feels Permanent

One of the biggest things I noticed was that when I had an argument with Adam, it felt like what we were fighting about was the end of the world.

It wasn’t JUST that I wish he’d consider how I felt about a situation before doing something, it was that I wondered if he’d ever change and consider how I felt - and if not - would this be something we would fight about for 70+ years?

It was this sort of mindset shift that had me arguing with Adam more than ever - about little things - that I felt like became gigantic.

This was something I had to work on and start to see differently.

Yes, we will be together forever, but these arguments can find a solution and people can change.

I often have to repeat that when I get heated.

You Learn MORE THAN EVER about your partner

Think you know everything about the person you’re marring?

Spoiler alert: you don’t.

It’s funny because I thought I knew Adam so well but I’ve learned so much about him in the first year of marriage that perhaps I sort of knew but never really cared about.

I think anyone who got married during the pandemic saw new sides of their partner because so much around you changed.

Both Adam and I can say that after we got married, we learned a lot of things about the others personality, insecurities, and even communication style that we didn’t see or recognize before.

It’s been fun to take all that in and consider that as new accessories to our relationship.

Ps. What about you? What’s one thing you learned in the first year of marriage?

Leave a comment

There you go, friends! That’s the newsletter for this week. Leave a comment and share what you think!

Love you (for as long as we both shall live),

Jen Glantz

This Week’s Love List:

Personalized Gifts: If you’re looking for a fun gift - share one that is personalized.

Being a mom and an entrepreneur: An awesome podcast interview on that very topic by my friend Molly Beck.

Read a book together: A fun activity to do with your partner at night - pick a book and read it together. Start your own mini book club!

A good weekend activity: Keep this near you if you need a fun hobby

The Newlywed Card Game: Want to play the game? Grab one before it sells out.

Jen Glantz is a whimsical entrepreneur, 3x author, podcast host, and all-around pizza-obsessed goofball.

Here's what she is currently working on:

The Newlywed Card Game // Books // You're Not Getting Any Younger Podcast

Bridesmaid for Hire // Odd Jobs Newsletter // The First Years of Marriage Newsletter

The Monday Pick-Me-Up Newsletter //Jen & Juice Business & Life Coaching // Company Workshops

Subscribe now

Welcome to The First Years of Marriage Newsletter! We talk about the conversations, challenges, and changes that begin once the honeymoon ends. Advice from experts, mistakes from me (Jen Glantz), and things you’re going to want to know as you continue to ask yourself this question - “I’m married, so now what?”

NEW LESSONS FROM NEWLYWEDS

In 19 days, I’ll be celebrating the first anniversary of my marriage.

I can’t believe it’s been a year since we said I DO on a street corner as our parents and loved ones watched over Zoom (#covidweddingproblems).

But before that date swings around, I want to start brainstorming what the heck I learned so far in my own first year of marriage.

While I spend a few weeks doing that, here’s some insight from other couples on what the biggest lessons they learned during YEAR ONE of being married.

Unexpected lessons learned for these 5 couples

First month of marriage lessons learned

Important lessons learned over the span of 15 years

Money lessons I learned as a newlywed

This Week’s Love List:

Gifts Under $50: Know someone who needs a gift? I like searching this website and looking at gifts to grab under $50.

Exploring this book: Cute little book of games to play with your partner.

Make Thank You Notes: One fun thing I’m doing with Adam is making customized thank you cards to use throughout the year. We made them after we got married and ran out! In 2022, it’s time for a new design.

The Newlywed Card Game: We have 1/3 of our supply left in stock. Want to play the game? Grab one before it sells out.

There you go, friends! That’s the newsletter for this week. Leave a comment and share what you think!

Leave a comment

Ps. If you’re new here, HELLO! Welcome. It means a lot that you’re reading this. Here’s where you can scroll through a bunch of other newsletters on all different important topics - from post-nups to love language.

Love you (for as long as we both shall live),

Jen Glantz

Jen Glantz is a whimsical entrepreneur, 3x author, podcast host, and all-around pizza-obsessed goofball.

Here's what she is currently working on:

The Newlywed Card Game

Books

You're Not Getting Any Younger Podcast

Bridesmaid for Hire

Odd Jobs Newsletter

The First Years of Marriage Newsletter

The Monday Pick-Me-Up Newsletter

Jen & Juice Business & Life Coaching

Company Workshops

Welcome to The First Years of Marriage Newsletter! We talk about the conversations, challenges, and changes that begin once the honeymoon ends. Advice from experts, mistakes from me (Jen Glantz), and things you’re going to want to know as you continue to ask yourself this question - “I’m married, so now what?”

Subscribe now

Valentine’s day is over. But that doesn’t matter. You’re still married. And sometimes in marriage, we don’t celebrate love daily.

Of course we don’t. We’re BUSY daily. We’re working our real jobs, doing the dishes, fighting over why the other person didn’t use a Bed Bath and Beyond coupon to buy the new blender. UGHH what were you thinking?

But I think we an all agree that love is something we sometimes take for granted and then V-Day happens or our anniversary comes along and we feel like we have to make some sort of big deal because we only celebrate our relationship on TWO DAYS out of the 365-days that encompass the year.

Today let’s chat about this:

How to keep the love flowing after a holiday passes. Here are my ideas.

1. Plan a Surprise Date

   Do this now. Pick a day in the next 2-months and send your partner a calendar invite. Don’t tell them what it’s for or what you are doing. Pick 2-3 fun things for that surprise date. It will make the SPARK! feel alive in your relationship.

2. Re-Do Valentine’s Day in July

   Why not do a V-DAY re-do in July? How random, right? But it could be fun especially if you didn’t really have a great one this year.

3. Start Eyeballing Your Anniversary

   Whether it’s far away or coming up, start planning something meaningful for that day. Perhaps it’s a vow renewal or a vacation. Don’t wait for the last-minute if it’s possible to get started sooner planning it all.

4. Do a Couple’s Challenge

   Pick a challenge for March. What’s something you can work on together? It’ll make you feel closer together to work on something with each other.

5. Think of 1x a Week Nice Thing

   The truth is, most of the days of our lives are ordinary. Can you do 1x nice thing for your partner every week? One simple and easy thing? Think about it. What can you do today even to make them feel super special?

This Week’s Love List:

Gifts Under $50: Know someone who needs a gift? I like searching this website and looking at gifts to grab under $50.

Exploring this book: It really snuck into my life and made me super curios. Diving into it this week.

Make Thank You Notes: One fun thing I’m doing with Adam is making customized thank you cards to use throughout the year. We made them after we got married and ran out! In 2022, it’s time for a new design.

The Newlywed Card Game: We have 1/3 of our supply left in stock. Want to play the game? Grab one before it sells out.

There you go, friends! That’s the newsletter for this week. Leave a comment and share what you think!

Leave a comment

Ps. If you’re new here, HELLO! Welcome. It means a lot that you’re reading this. Here’s where you can scroll through a bunch of other newsletters on all different important topics - from post-nups to love language.

ALSO - if you know anyone who would adore this newsletter, can you please share it with them? THANK YOU!

Share The First Years of Marriage

Love you (for as long as we both shall live),

Jen Glantz

Jen Glantz is a whimsical entrepreneur, 3x author, podcast host, and all-around pizza-obsessed goofball.

Here's what she is currently working on:

The Newlywed Card Game

Books

You're Not Getting Any Younger Podcast

Bridesmaid for Hire

Odd Jobs Newsletter

The First Years of Marriage Newsletter

The Monday Pick-Me-Up Newsletter

Jen & Juice Business & Life Coaching

Company Workshops