A couple say living in separate apartments for four years has kept them in the "honeymoon phase" – and they meet in the shared laundry room for sex."

Shelley Hunt, 40, and Pete Verge, 39, had only been dating a few months when they found a property with two apartments and decided to buy it together.

Now four years on, the pair are still loving the set-up, with Pete living upstairs in a three bedroom and two bathroom suite with his three children – 11, eight and six.

Shelley lives on the ground floor with her two boys

– 15 and 12 – in a two bedroom and one bathroom suite.

They each have their own kitchen and living space and do their own chores and activities, and their homes are linked by a door.

Shelley and Pete, a business owner, say it means they find quality time for each other by sneaking off to the laundry room.

They have every second week without their children when they go to stay with their ex-partners.

The couple say the set-up makes their relationship "strong" and "amazing"."

Shelley, who works in community programming, from Penticton, British Columbia, Canada, said: "Every single person who knows us says we're the most in love couple."

"We adore each other. It still feels like were in a honeymoon phase."

"I think our relationship is great. The way we choose to live has contributed massively to the longevity of the love in our relationship and with our kids."

"I feel so lucky."

Pete added: "Because of the set-up, if for some reason it doesn’t work out we have our own space."

"It’s allowed us to focus on the kids."

Shelley and Pete started dating in March 2019 and both wanted to move home.

They house hunted separately but found an "up and down apartment" in July 2019 and decided to go for it."

Shelley said: "It didn’t feel right for our kids to combine our families."

"Blending can be scary and uncomfortable."

"This seemed like a good option."

Shelley owns 42% of the house – and pays $1,400 per month and Pete owns the remaining 58% - costing him $1,800 a month for the mortgage and all bills.

The separate apartments allow Shelley and Pete to parent their children and have their own space to make their own.

Shelley said: "The kids stay in their separate spaces. "

"We know what we’re responsible for. It’s easier to focus on the kids."

"We’re ships passing in the night."

Shelley says she takes on a "grandparent role" to Pete’s two daughters – 11 and six – and son, eight."

She said: "I’m not managing anything – like their schedules - but I’ll go to a dance recital."

"Like a grandparent would."

When the children are with their other parents Shelley and Pete will sleep in the same bed for the week.

Shelley said: "When the kids are gone we sleep in the same bed."

"Having our own closet and own stuff is so nice."

The couple still find time for each other when the kids are around – having coffee together in the morning and going on lunch time walks.

Shelley said: "We’ll meet in the laundry room. It’s fun and spontaneous."

"By the end of the week we’re dying to spend some time together."

"It’s nice to miss somebody."

The couple plan to stay living separately when Shelley’s sons move out but would then like to go travelling together when Pete’s children flee the nest.

Shelley said: "It works so incredibly well."

Pete said: "There’s an appreciation for each other when were not together."

"Our relationship is so special."