The Irwin family does an incredible job of keeping Steve Irwin's memory alive. The spirit of the late Crocodile Hunter star lives on through the conservation work his family does. He's also a constant in their everyday personal lives.
Bindi Irwin married longtime love Chandler Powell in a small, intimate wedding at the Australia Zoo. Bindi's mother, Terri, and her brother, Robert, were among those present. Steve was also very much there in spirit. The couple found so many beautiful ways to incorporate Steve into their big day.
Bindi recently shared a special piece of artwork celebrating that day. In the family portrait, Steve and his dog, Sui, are incorporated in. Naturally, the visual image of Steve standing next to his daughter on his wedding day is an emotional one. Bindi admitted it brought her to tears, although they were happy ones. Not only is it beautiful in its meaning, but it's technically stunning as well.
It's hard to celebrate life's biggest milestones when one of your loved ones isn't there to join in the joy. Bindi Irwin celebrated her wedding earlier this year. It was a beautiful wedding, but it was tinged with the bittersweetness of knowing her dad, Steve Irwin, was there only in spirit.
Bindi was just 8 years old when Steve died suddenly. It's clear that his absence is deeply felt, but the family does a good job of turning those difficult emotions into a positive celebration of life. Bindi and her husband, Chandler, did a beautiful job of incorporating Steve's memory into their special day.
Bindi shared a video from her wedding with fans. A blown-up picture of Steve was front and center on the day of the wedding.
"I think that Dad's with us, too, in a way," she says as the video begins.
The wedding footage in the video is interspersed with old home videos of Bindi and her dad.
"I think that his spirit lives on in everything that we do, so I feel like he's going to be there walking beside me and Robert, as we head down that aisle," she says in the video.
"This is such an incredibly special day and, of course, not everybody could be here who we love so much because of the current global crisis. A lot of our family couldn't make it on the day, but thankfully they gave us amazing support to continue on with our wedding."
"And then there's also the people that couldn't be here because they're watching over us now and they're our guiding lights. And this candle is to represent Dad, who I wish could've been here,” she continued, while choking up.
"I think it's really special that he's always with us and he walks beside us with everything that we do."
To Chandler, Steve's memory is also a big part of his and Bindi's love story.
"Yes, and, in a way, he brought us together," Chandler added before they lit the candle.
"So, it's amazing that he brought us together and because of everything you guys built here, we're able to live the life that we live. He was my hero growing up and it means the world that he's always here with us."
Recently, Bindi shared a beautiful keepsake of her wedding day created by a fan, digital artist Debb Oliver. In the painting, Chandler and Bindi stand happily side by side. On the other side of Bindi is Steve, with Terri and Robert by his side. Steve's dog, Sui, and Bindi and Chandler's dog are also included in the beautiful family portrait.
"I've been working on this slowly since @bindisueirwin and @chandlerpowell got married. I couldn't stop thinking about how Steve would be so proud of them. So I wanted to draw all the Irwin's together, including Sui. Steve's best friend," Debb wrote in her caption of the painting.
"I LOVE this family so much. And I'd love for them to see this. I promise I won't ask every time, but I'd REALLY appreciate if you could help me get this to them. I wish them the very best!"
Bindi reposted the painting just over a week later. "My family. Our wedding day. ❤️ This artwork gave me happy tears," she captioned it.
"Thank you to 'The Monkey Brush' for creating such a beautiful piece, it means the world to me."
Bindi sent Debb a thank-you card for the incredible artwork. "Words can't express how much your beautiful art piece means to our family," she wrote.
"We can't wait to see it in real life."
Bindi also sent Debb some Australia Zoo swag.
Debb sent the incredible painting to Bindi. Bindi recently shared a photo of the family gathered with the work. "'To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.' ― Thomas Campbell Thank you @the_monkey_brush for creating this spectacular piece."
The beautiful piece is a truly heartwarming work of art. It shows an embodiment of what the day meant not just for the happy couple but the Irwin family in its most complete sense.
