oooh.. Thank you guys! We will definitely try this tomorrow.
The other suggestion we had after playing today. Having the non host being able to pick which origin character they play and/or allowing the non host to control more than one in combat. Examples - if i hosted and he played in my game. he would HATE playing the cleric which is my only choice when i play on his lobby. The other example - he has to control 3 people will i twiddle my thumbs waiting to play one.
You can also change which companion is being controlled by which character. In the game, hit Esc, then "session", then you can put a companion in another persons control. Don't think you can change the MAIN character that you made though, as that's your "Avatar". Maybe you can though, haven't tried it.