GOING THE DISTANCE

Murdoch Mysteries star Yannick Bisson and wife Shantelle on the power of love

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When Yannick Bisson makes a choice, he's in it for the long haul! Not only is the Canadian actor starring in his 19th season of Murdoch Mysteries, but he and his wife, Shantelle, recently celebrated 35 years of marriage.

“We still do foolish things together,” says Yannick, explaining their secret to a decades-long romance. “We just do it. Like, ‘Let's go to whatever place. Let's buy a boat. Let's rent a jet!’ Just foolish, stupid stuff, adventures – as long as it's me and her.”

The two first met at age 15 in a Scarborough, Ont., mall. They began dating at 18, had their first baby within a year and married at 21. Now, the pair share three grown daughters – Brianna, 36, Dominique, 34, and Mikaela, 28 – two of which live just around the corner from their Toronto residence.

Shantelle is often away in the summer, running Shantilly's Place – the family marina in Ontario's cottage country – leaving Yannick to fend for himself. “But I always have a date!” he says of his daughters. “I will be ready to order ramen and they will call and [ask me to come for dinner]: ‘Oh, and bring a screwdriver.’ And I end up helping to build an art wall or something.”

Even at 56, Yannick is always on dad duty and now has a four-year-old grandson, too.

“We're even building a bigger cottage on our property just to keep the family closer together,” says Shantelle, also 56.

Inviting Hello! Canada into their home, the couple share their favourite things about each other – and Yannick tells us why, after nearly two decades,