Nigerian Afrobeat artiste Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has declared her support for couples cohabiting before marriage, saying it is a means to better understand one another.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Tea With Tay Podcast, the singer-songwriter and mother elaborated on her stance, drawing from her personal experience with husband, Adekunle Gold.
Simi disclosed that she and Adekunle Gold had chosen to live together prior to tying the knot, a decision she believes contributed to their deeper understanding of each other.
“I used to go over to Adekunle Gold’s place for us to spend time together”.
While acknowledging that many couples have successfully married without prior cohabitation, Simi expressed her belief that living together enlightens the intending couples on how to navigate their relationship.
She concluded by advocating for a period of cohabitation before marriage, albeit noting that the duration need not be extensive.
“I am of the opinion that… Maybe I shouldn’t share this opinion because I feel like religious people might not agree with me. I personally think that people who want to get married should live together for a little bit before they do that. Because I don’t think you really know someone that you’re going to marry until you cohabit. The way someone is when they are outside in their best behavior is different from how they are when they are cranky and they haven’t eaten or when they wake up in the morning or when they are snoring.
“When you live with someone you know all the sides to them, that is when you really know if you can do forever with them. Millions of people have gotten married without living together. But I personally think it’s a good idea to cohabit before marriage. It doesn’t have to be for long.”