Edidiong Awak (Didi)

Personally, I think cohabitation before marriage is a good idea, provided both people are comfortable with it. I once ended a serious relationship that was already heading towards introduction because of what I experienced when we lived together for just one month. He was based abroad and came to Nigeria for the introduction. During that one month, I became so depressed. He didn’t eat pepperish food, while I love my food spicy. I had to prepare his soups separately. I also love making 3–4 different soups whenever I want to stock my freezer. I cleaned the house, washed his clothes and took care of the cooking. I wasn’t expecting him to join me in doing all the housework, but something as simple as saying, “Well done, babe,” would have meant a lot. Sometimes, I would be in the bedroom while he sat in the living room pressing his phone. 😂 One morning, I woke up and told him I didn’t think I could continue with the relationship. And that was how it ended. Imagine discovering all these after marriage. Cohabitation gave me the opportunity to experience what married life with him might look like before making a lifelong commitment. Living together before marriage doesn't guarantee a successful marriage, but it can expose habits, attitudes and incompatibilities you might otherwise overlook. I would rather discover certain things before saying 'I do' than spend years regretting what I ignored.