Views on Pre-Marriage Cohabitation

As with all other relationships, you get what you give. In a situation of living together while dating you will find out if you are really compatible. Living together in my opinion, is a great idea before marriage. You will know what you are getting into, you will find out how strong your relationship really is. If you can't get along in a live in relationship, you should definitely not consider marriage!

When I rented my first house, my boyfriend was as happy as I was about my new living situation. He was at my house each day after work, he frequently slept over, and in general he got comfortable at my house. I suggested he move in with me. He declined and said he didn't want to take over my home. Within three weeks, he started bringing clothes, videos and furniture over. He was moving in.

It was perfect at first. It seemed like a honeymoon. We ate dinner together, we woke up together, we had lots of time to cuddle and make love. We were very happy. After two months, the honeymoon was over. We had to learn to accommodate one another, and make our situation work. We had our differences, such as household chores. I didn't feel that I should be responsible for his laundry, I didn't want to be a housewife. Eventually we devised a way to share household responsibilities.

We have been living together, happily for almost ten years now. I have no regrets about cohabitation. We frequently discuss getting married. I am in no rush, we are as good as married in our hearts, things are really great as they are, and I don't see any reason to make any changes now.

If your live in relationship isn't working, consider it a blessing that you found out before getting married! Living together gives you a taste of who your partner really is. Most people behave differently at home compared to their behavior in public. You will really learn about the hygiene, and responsibility of your partner.