Barry 'Bear' Myrden and Sunny Long, who found love on the Australian season of "The Golden Bachelor," have shared details about their unique relationship, which includes a "living apart together" arrangement as they blend their families.
"In a way, we kind of live together," Sunny Long explained in an interview. The couple maintains constant contact, with Myrden messaging Long every morning and night, and they visit each other's homes. Long noted that this arrangement is practical given their established careers, homes, and children. "If we were younger, if we were just building our relationship, then of course we would be [living together]," Myrden said.
The couple addressed ongoing speculation about their relationship status, including engagement rumors. Long was seen wearing a ring, but Myrden clarified it was the same commitment ring given to her on the show, not an engagement ring. "Not at this stage, no," Myrden stated. "We just want to take one step at a time. That's what we said from the start."
Myrden emphasized that at their stage of life, major commitments involve more than just the two of them. "We're older and we've lived and lost, and we both have our careers and our homes and our families, and we're integrating all that together," he said. They plan to make any future announcements on their own timeline.
Breakup rumors were also dismissed, with the couple explaining that speculation often arises when they are not seen together. Long attributed recent separations to business trips, while Myrden balances full-time work and fatherhood. "If we're not together, seen together all the time, then rumors start," Myrden said. "And they're only rumors."
Long stated that her feelings for Myrden have deepened since filming concluded over a year ago. "The love I'm having for him now is an extension, but a deeper level," she said. Myrden agreed, adding, "It did take a while to build and grow, but certainly, yes, we are very much in love."
The couple also recounted their experiences during the filming of the reality dating show. Myrden described being housed alone in a mansion with a chaperone, having minimal contact with the outside world, and only being allowed brief weekly phone calls with his sons. Long added that phones, laptops, credit cards, and passports were confiscated during production, and even the remote control was removed from her hotel room.
Despite the intense production environment, both Myrden and Long expressed openness to returning to reality television and potentially having a future wedding filmed. "We're going to cross that bridge when we get to it," Long said. "We like privacy, but never say never. We're open to any possibilities."
Looking ahead, Myrden hopes they will continue to "laugh and learn about each other," while Long added, "More in love - and maybe we are in the next stage, the next phase of our life. Let's leave it as a mystery."