One rule helped Bronte Campbell and fiancé Benfield Lainchbury through years of long-distance

Straight off the back of her impressive Olympics campaign at Paris 2024, Bronte Campbell made a trip to Venice where her partner of eight years Benfield Lainchbury proposed to her.

After so many years together, many of which were spent living in different states while Campbell pursued her sport, the engagement is an exciting milestone for the duo and a testament to the strength of their bond.

"I've left Benfield abandoned here in Sydney for multiple years at a time running off around trying to pursue my Olympic goals," Campbell tells 9honey.

"And he's not only supported me in that, but lifted me up and encouraged me to do that while making personal sacrifices to make that happen."

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In one week's time, Campbell and Lainchbury will be bringing their nearest and dearest together for an engagement party, which Campbell says will be a celebration of so much more than their proposal. 

"[It will] be really special, in multiple ways, like a chance to celebrate engagement, but also just a chance to celebrate the last year and celebrate the fact that I'm now back and living in Sydney for my partner," Campbell says. 

"I should probably just call him my fiancé now," she adds, explaining that she's still getting used to that new title. 

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"It's been a long journey" to this moment, Campbell says, and there's one thing that has kept them strong especially during periods of long distance. 

"We sort of have a rule that if you see the other person calling on your phone you will always be picking it up," Campbell says. 

"It's not really a rule, rule. It's more of an unwritten rule, like just always making time for the other person no matter what's happening in your life and how busy your day to day is trying to bring that person into it," she says.

"I know if I ever call Benfield and he doesn't pick up, it's 100 per cent because he hasn't seen it, it's not because he doesn't want to talk to me or he's too busy to talk to me, he'll always make the time."

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She knows it's a cliché to say that communication is key. But it's a cliché for a reason. 

"If we couldn't communicate while we were apart, it definitely would have all fallen apart," Campbell adds. 

And at least for Campbell and Lainchbury, the cliché has worked. Because after eight years together and more than three years spent doing long distance, the duo found themselves enjoying a meal under the Italian sun when Lainchbury decided to pop the question. 

"I was just completely taken by surprise," Campbell explains. 

"We were just in a beautiful little restaurant in the back streets of Venice and I had no idea it was coming but it was really lovely." 

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After the proposal, Campbell and Lainchbury spent some time celebrating with friends in Tuscany. For Campbell, sharing their joy with their friends and family is "the nicest thing about being engaged" and she can't wait to share that joy at her engagement party and then, of course, at their wedding. 

"I love the idea of being in a room and looking out and all the people that you love and are closest to are all standing there all together. Like that's a really beautiful thing," Campbell says. 

And after the wedding? Well Campbell is just excited for the adventures that married life will hold for them both. 

"Life is such an adventure and I'm so glad I've got a great adventure partner."

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