Your wedding was perfect. But between saying the vows and actually living your marriage . . . there’s a whole world no one really prepares you for.

Pastor Mike Novotny remembers that world well. He and his wife stepped into marriage with deep love—but almost no shared expectations about money, communication, sex, family, faith, chores, or even what “being sick” really meant. Like most couples, they learned a lot by bumping into things they never saw coming.

This book is the guide they wish they’d had. From mismatched assumptions about chores and money, to navigating in-laws, intimacy, and the mysterious way your spouse loads the dishwasher, this book helps you bridge the gaps, build connection, and enjoy being married.