What did you expect when you tied the knot? *Read the article and win a copy of this book!*

"You Might Think...I'm Crazy, But All I Want is You."

(The Cars, Heartbeat City, 1984, Elektra Records)Before we got married, John and I spent hours and hours talking. We discussed our growing up years, our hopes and dreams, our likes and dislikes. We spent (literally) every free moment together. I thought I knew him pretty well. We were engaged after four months, and we married five more after that. I'd found the man for me. For life.

Even though I didn't realize it at the time, I had expectations of what life would be like after we were married. Very unrealistic expectations I soon discovered.

For example, I'd visited John's apartment on many occasions, and I could tell he was a neat freak. His bed was always made. The dishes had been washed and put away. He did his own laundry and ironed his own clothes. What a guy!

I was just the opposite. In fact, one thing my mother repeatedly told me growing up is, "I'd hate to see what your house will be like when I'm not around to pick up after you."

Cool, I thought. John will do all the housecleaning...this will work out perfectly. Okay, we have to stop right here. I'll wait as you finish laughing.

You see, John had his own expectations. Great, John thought. Once we get married Trish will be around, so I won't have to do all the housecleaning...

As you can guess, we both had unrealistic expectations, and we were both hugely disappointed!

Now, if those were the only expectations we had, then married life would have been fairly manageable. But this wasn't the only unrealistic expectation. It was just one drop in the tidal wave. Our thoughts on issues
like money and child-rearing, sex and our extended-families soon made waves as deep-seated emotions, past experiences, and firm opinions stirred the sandy beaches of our mental honeymoon paradise.

Ohmygosh! Who is this person I married? I wondered with my chin set and my arms firmly crossed over my chest. When did he get so opinionated and stubborn?

*To win a copy of Tricia's book, send an email with your name and address to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Good Luck!*

Tricia Goyer is the author of seven novels, six non-fiction books, and one children's book. Tricia was named MHCW's "Writer of the Year" in 2003. In 2005, her book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion. Also in 2005, her novel Night Song won ACFW's Book of the Year for Long Historical Romance. In 2006, her novel Dawn of a Thousand Nights also won Book of the Year for Long Historical. She's written over 300 articles for national publications and hundreds of Bible Study notes for the Women of Faith Study Bible. Tricia lives in Montana with her husband and three kids where she homeschools, leads children's church, and mentors teenage mothers.

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