Bindi Irwin can't help but think of her dad during these joyous times in her life. Bindi recently announced that she and longtime love Chandler Powell got engaged. She's already getting started with the wedding planning. In the midst of the exciting time, she had to stop to take a moment to talk to her late father, Steve Irwin.
Bindi was just 8 years old when Steve unexpectedly died in 2006. Her mother, Terri Irwin, has raised her and her brother, Robert, to continue to honor Steve's legacy with work in the area of conservation. They've both done exceedingly well with that and have also honored his legacy by being kind and caring people.
In an Instagram post with a photo of the family, Bindi spoke to her dad while celebrating her brother, pulling at the heartstrings of everyone who knows this family's journey and relishes their ability to find happiness. They're clearly still missing Steve, but his spirit lives on in all that they do.
Bindi Irwin is so excited about the direction her life is going in. Not only has she recently gotten engaged to the love of her life, but she has a wonderful career doing what she loves at her family's zoo and a wonderful family to share her happiness with.
Bindi's longtime boyfriend, Chandler Powell, asked for her hand in marriage on her 21st birthday. She shared the news with fans that day. Her Instagram post read, "July 24th, 2019 ❤️ On my birthday I said 'yes' and 'forever' to the love of my life."
She continued by penning a message to her sweet man, writing, "Chandler, close to 6 years ago I fell in love with you and every day since has been a whirlwind of adventure and true happiness. I’m so looking forwarding to spending our forever together as your wife. Here’s to a lifetime of friendship, purpose and unconditional love. — Now let’s get married already!"
The photographs of the special moment as it unfolded were courtesy of Bindi's little brother, Robert Irwin. "I never even knew Robert was there photographing and I’ll always be grateful to have these special memories of the most amazing day of my life. ❤️," she wrote alongside the photos.
Bindi has already begun wedding planning! In the midst of the exciting time, she took a moment to express gratitude for Robert. She shared it in the form of an open letter to their dad. She wrote: "Dad, You would be so incredibly proud of Robert. He has been such an amazing support during this beautiful new life chapter."
She continued: "I know you’d be beaming with pride when the time comes that he walks me down the aisle. I wish you could be here for these moments, but I know that your spirit lives on in us ❤️."
It isn't the first time Bindi has talked about Robert walking her down the aisle. She recently told Entertainment Tonight: "I think that for me, it'll be really important that Robert walks me down the aisle. That's something that I really want to do."
Bindi further reflected on the important role her brother plays in her life. "I'm always so grateful that Robert is there," she said, "and he has been such a big part of my life and he's always stepped up and been the one to give me a hug when I need it and encourage me forward in life."
When it comes to what is usually a father-daughter dance, Terri will fill in for Steve. "I think, if I was going to do a dance, it would be with my mom," Bindi explained. "My mom and I are so close. She's my pillar of strength in life and I love her beyond description."
Bindi has also shared that Terri has been a great source of inspiration and support for her and Chandler throughout their relationship.
She explained, "She said to me a few months ago, she said, 'Your dad and I used to always talk about what makes a perfect marriage, or a really wonderful marriage, and what's interesting is that for us, it was kind of that feeling of comfort.'"
Her mother's lesson really resonated with Bindi. "So you know, your relationship can be this wonderful, exciting adventure, but you want to find someone who, at the end of the day, you're really comfortable with," she said.
It's been 13 years since the Irwin family lost their patriarch. Steve died in 2006. He was filming for a show when a stingray attacked him and pierced his heart. He was just 44 years old. Bindi was 8 and Robert was just 3 at the time of Steve's death.
These moments are surely bittersweet for the Irwin family. Thankfully, they have each other to lean on in Steve's absence. They've done such an incredible job at keeping his legacy and spirit alive in their work and in their personal lives.
The Irwins have earned their happiness over and over again. Bindi and Chandler's union is sure to bring a lot of joy to the family, especially since he's gotten in on the important work they do. We hope that their journey to the aisle is filled with happiness!
