Things We Learned As New Homeowners

Living together as husband and wife in your own house can be both overwhelming and, at the same time, require a lot of adjustments. Let me share some of the things we learned as first-time homeowners who recently got married.

"Home is the starting place of love, hope, and dreams." — Unknown

Here are the things we learned:

1. Your house is your safe space

Your house is your safe space. Make sure you and your spouse decide together on the small details of your home, such as the house color, countertops, dining table, etc.

2. House chores are divided into two

As a couple who live without any help to do the chores, it's essential to divide them. For example, if I do the cooking, my husband does the dishes. This might not apply to everyone, but communication is key. I'm lucky to have a husband who doesn't let me do all the chores.

3. Take turns in spending

Even when we were still dating, we practiced this. Now that we are married, we continue the same practice. For instance, since my husband bought our dining table, stove, etc., I’m in charge of buying the plates, spoons, etc. For us, taking turns in spending on household items is essential for a harmonious living situation. Not doing so can lead to burnout and stress.

4. Clean eating is a must

Now that we have our own house, we've set rules for balanced eating. For instance, instead of relying too much on canned goods and processed foods, we make time to buy vegetables and fruits, and we also try to exercise on the treadmill. Clean eating can be difficult when you’re living on your own, especially since the temptation to buy fast food and ready-to-eat meals is higher when both of you are busy with day-to-day work.

5. Date day is a must

Though you live together under the same roof, a date day is still essential to keep the spark alive in your relationship. Date days help you reconnect and provide an opportunity to break away from the daily routine.

Special thanks to dear Rhea for this awesome wedding gift: the coffee machine.

Lastly, we have a golden rule in our house: "Happy spouse, happy house." Our married life isn’t perfect, but we always pray to keep God at the center of our marriage.